African firms urged to prioritise workplace safety

AfriSAFE Founder and Chief Executive Officer Femi Da-Silva

African businesses have been urged to strengthen workplace safety culture and adopt measures that protect employees, ensure business continuity and address emerging risks across the continent.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, AfriSAFE Founder and Chief Executive Officer Femi Da-Silva said safety awareness needs to extend beyond corporate environments.

Da-Silva stated that safety conversations must translate into practical action that protects lives. He said, “We can hold powerful conversations about safety inside conference halls, but the ultimate measure of success is what changes for the individual on the street.

“African businesses must prioritise workplace safety culture and adopt measures that protect employees, ensure business continuity and address emerging risks across the continent.

“So if 1,000 people leave our sessions with practical skills to save a colleague, family member, or stranger, we have created an impact that far outlasts the event.”

He said that as part of its social impact initiative, AfriSAFE 2026 would provide free practical first-aid and emergency-response training to at least 1,000 people in Ghana.

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Da-Silva noted that the initiative is part of AfriSAFE’s wider ambition to equip more than 10,000 people across selected African countries with critical life-saving skills.

Shortlisted organisations from Nigeria and West Africa include Dangote Packaging Limited, Ardova Plc, UBA Group, Lagos Free Zone Company, Olam Agric, Akwa Ibom State Government, Sunbeth Global Concepts, Promasidor, GB Foods Ghana, Ibom Air, Matrix Energy, ARISE IIP, Zoomlion, Craneburg Construction and Segilola Resources Operating Limited.

Others on the Pan-African and international shortlist include Nestlé ESAR Region, Fujita Corporation, Hormuud Telecom Somalia, Shelter Group Africa, Vulcan Mozambique, KEC International, TATA Chemicals Magadi Kenya, Kagem Mining, Bakhresa Group, Zambeef Products Plc, Puma Energy, Trade Kings Group, Equity Group Holdings, FG Gold, AngloGold Ashanti and MODEC.

He added that major corporate institutions supporting the initiative include Zambia Sugar, Seplat Energy, Tropical Cable, Golden Africa Djibouti, GODEF West Africa, Unique Open University, Brit Holdings, OSHEMS Group, Hybrid Group, iSafety Group, and Safety Consultants and Solutions Providers.

The statement said AfriSAFE 2026 will be held on November 5 and 6, 2026, at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, under the theme, “Safeguarding Lives. Securing the Future.”