Experts push ethical leadership to drive sustainable business growth

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA is positioning itself as a regional hub for advancing ethical leadership and responsible business practices, with experts from across Africa and beyond calling for stronger accountability, integrity and African-centred approaches to governance.

The call emerged during the Absa BEN-Africa Conference 2026, held at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School (UDBS), bringing together scholars, policymakers, regulators, business executives and ethics professionals from Africa, Europe and the United States.

Organised by the University of Dar es Salaam in partnership with Absa Bank Tanzania and the Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa), the twoday conference explored the theme, “Contrasting Perspectives on Business Ethics: Afrocentricity and Beyond.”

Opening the conference, Commissioner of the President’s Office – Ethics Secretariat, Justice (Emeritus) Sivangilwa Mwangesi, said ethical leadership should be viewed as a foundation for development rather than an obstacle to economic progress.

He highlighted that sustainable prosperity and public confidence in institutions depended on integrity, accountability and responsible leadership.

Discussions also examined corporate responsibility, sustainable growth, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, tourism ethics and the growing influence of technology on governance.

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Particular attention was given to Ubuntu, an African philosophy promoting human dignity, mutual respect and collective responsibility, as a framework for strengthening contemporary business and institutional practices.

Speaking at the conclusion, Absa Bank Tanzania Managing Director Obedi Laiser said the conference had demonstrated Africa’s intellectual capacity to shape global discussions on ethics and responsible business.

He reaffirmed Absa’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote integrity, trust and accountability as foundations for sustainable growth.

BEN-Africa President Dr Bryan Robinson said the participation of stakeholders from different countries reflected growing international recognition of African perspectives on business ethics.

Meanwhile, UDBS Dean Prof Omari Khalifa Mbura underscored the role of universities in preparing future leaders to address ethical challenges facing businesses and society.

Delegates called for stronger links between academic research, policymaking and business practices to translate ethical principles into practical institutional reforms.