Ethics at the forefront: African voices shaping technology and business at BEN-Africa 2025

Leaders, innovators, and ethicists from across Africa gathered at the Absa BEN-Africa 2025 Conference to explore the intersection of technology, governance, and ethics. Under the theme “Innovative Technologies, Friend or Foe? Reflecting on Governance and Ethics,” the event highlighted the continent’s urgent need to guide rapid technological advances with ethical and culturally grounded principles.

Globethics, a long-term partner and gold sponsor of the conference, was represented by Dr Carike Noeth, Southern Africa Regional Manager, and Susan Ackah, Western Africa Regional Centre. Their contributions highlighted the critical need for ethically guided technological innovation and the decolonisation of business ethics in Africa.

Dr Carike moderated the panel “The Ghost in the Shell: Ethics, Humans and Artificial Intelligence in the Face of Technological Innovation.” Panellists emphasised that technology must serve humanity, not the other way around. Dr Suraj Juddoo highlighted the importance of contextualising AI frameworks and embedding technical guardrails in African systems. Dr Omowumi Molly Ogunyemi underscored the centrality of human flourishing, community, and care, calling for shared ethical responsibility between AI creators and users, and greater AI education for Africa’s youth. Carike herself stressed equitable access, pointing out that with only 36% of Africans online, AI must not deepen societal divides, and financial incentives should never compromise ethical responsibility.

Susan Ackah led the ISBEE-sponsored panel “Decolonising Business Ethics in the Age of Technological Acceleration”, encouraging reflection on how business ethics can evolve to authentically reflect African perspectives as technology reshapes economies and societies.

Reflecting on the conference, Carike noted a renewed sense of hope: “Listening to Africans discuss Africa’s future reminded me that humanity and community remain at the heart of our identity. Our younger generation is ready to lead, ensuring Africa’s AI narrative emerges from African soil. For the first time in a long while, I felt hope for Africa.”

Globethics’ continued partnership with BEN-Africa builds on years of collaboration, including the Global Survey of Business Ethics, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering ethical leadership across the continent.

For a deeper exploration of African perspectives on decolonising business ethics, read Susan Ackah’s full reflections on her blog.