As African economies accelerate investments in energy, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure, business executives, policymakers, academics and occupational safety experts will converge on Accra next month to examine workplace safety and the human cost of industrial growth.

The discussions will take centre stage at the eighth edition of the Africa Safety Congress & Awards (AfriSAFE 2026), scheduled for November 5–6, 2026, at Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

Leading the congress will be Engr. Effiong Udofia Okon, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy Plc; Engr. Prof. Amevi Acakpovi, Vice-Chancellor of Accra Technical University and President of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) National Committee of Ghana; and Dr. Isa Emmanuel Omagu of Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BOI). They will be joined by senior executives from major African industrial organisations.

The gathering comes as countries across the continent pursue ambitious industrial development programmes amid growing concerns over workplace accidents, emerging technological risks, environmental sustainability and the protection of workers.

For millions of African workers, these issues have life-changing implications, determining whether employees return home safely, families are spared the loss of breadwinners to preventable accidents, and businesses achieve sustainable growth without exposing workers and surrounding communities to unacceptable risks.

Leadership, Standards and Safer Industrial Systems

Okon, who leads one of Nigeria’s major indigenous energy companies, is expected to deliver a keynote address focusing on industrial leadership, responsible operations and the protection of human lives.

His participation will bring an industry perspective to discussions on operational safety, particularly in the energy sector, where failures can have far-reaching consequences for workers, host communities, the environment and national economies.

Prof. Acakpovi will address the congress theme, “From Commitment to Action: Building Safe, Sustainable Systems Across Africa.” A prominent engineering academic and standards advocate, he is expected to examine how technical education, engineering standards, institutional leadership and innovation can contribute to safer and more resilient industrial systems.

Together, the speakers will highlight the complementary roles of businesses, educational institutions and technical bodies in translating safety commitments into practical measures that prevent workplace injuries, protect lives and strengthen industrial performance.

Financing Safer Industrial Development

Dr. Omagu will contribute to discussions on development finance, artificial intelligence, emerging workplace risks and the economic value of accident prevention.

His participation is expected to broaden conversations around the relationship between industrial financing and responsible business practices, including whether companies’ commitments to worker protection, sound corporate governance and environmental sustainability should feature more prominently in financing decisions.

The congress will also examine how development finance institutions can support businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in investing in safer machinery, automation, improved workplace systems and sustainable technologies.

Such investments are increasingly important as African industries modernise their operations and adopt new technologies that can improve productivity while introducing new safety challenges.

Industry Leaders to Share Practical Perspectives

ALSO READ:

• FG Commissions Two Solar Mini-Grids, Connects Over 2,200 Homes, Businesses In Kano Communities
• Seplat CEO, Ghanaian University Vice-Chancellor, BOI Executive to Lead Africa-Wide Talks on Workplace Safety
• V-Solaris Mini-Grids Boost Electricity Access, Livelihoods in Plateau Communities
• Axxela Reaffirms Commitment to Service Excellence, Celebrates Customers
• NUPRC Targets 250,000bpd from 22 New Licence Holders

The congress will also feature Kayode Adeleke, Group Chief Executive Officer of Arridex; the Business Improvement Director of Zambia Sugar; Atunde Olayinka, Chief Executive Officer of Yikodeen; Sumervant Singh, Vice-President, Technical Operations at Olam Agri; and Antonia Berry, Chief Executive Officer of a safety consultancy and solutions provider.

Drawing on their experience across manufacturing, agribusiness, engineering, safety consultancy and industrial operations, the industry leaders will discuss strategies for moving beyond basic regulatory compliance to establish stronger safety cultures, improve operational resilience and embed worker protection in everyday business decisions.

Sessions will explore the roles of executive leadership, emerging technologies and workforce engagement in preventing accidents, reducing operational risks and improving productivity.

Participants are also expected to consider how organisations can strengthen risk assessment, improve safety awareness and ensure that employees at every level participate actively in maintaining safe working environments.

The discussions will reinforce the principle that workplace safety is not merely a regulatory obligation or an operational expense, but a critical foundation for business competitiveness, industrial sustainability and long-term economic development.

Industrial Growth Must Not Come at the Cost of Human Lives

Speaking ahead of the congress, Femi Da-Silva, Chief Executive Officer of AfriSAFE, stressed the need to place human lives at the centre of Africa’s development agenda.

“Africa is investing billions in industrial growth, infrastructure and technology, but we must ask an equally important question: are we investing enough in protecting the people who make that growth possible? No worker should lose their life simply because they went to work. Industrial progress must never come at the expense of human lives,” he said.

The congress is expected to provide a platform for industry leaders, policymakers, technical experts and other stakeholders to exchange ideas, share practical experiences and identify approaches to improving occupational safety across Africa.

As the continent expands its industrial capacity and pursues new investment opportunities, the discussions will underscore the importance of ensuring that economic progress goes hand in hand with safer workplaces, responsible operations and the protection of human dignity.