As Africa experiences rapid industrial and economic growth, safety experts are raising urgent concerns about a growing disconnect between safety frameworks and real-world outcomes across the continent.
‘AfriSAFE Africa Safety Congress & Awards has issued a strong call to action ahead of its 2026 edition, urging safety professionals, institutions, and regulators to confront what it describes as a “dangerous culture of silence, blind loyalty, and institutional complacency” within the safety profession.
Scheduled for November 5–6, 2026, at Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana, AfriSAFE 2026 will convene leading voices from across Africa to address systemic challenges affecting workplace safety, governance, and accountability.
Despite the presence of safety policies, professional bodies, and certification systems across many African countries, incidents and preventable workplace risks remain a concern. According to AfriSAFE, the issue is no longer the absence of frameworks—but the effectiveness of their implementation.
“Too many professionals are disengaged from the systems that shape their profession,” said Femi Da-Silva, Founder and CEO of AfriSAFE.
“We have created structures, but we have not built enough participation, accountability, and transparency within those structures.”
The organization highlighted key challenges facing the safety profession, including internal institutional focus over public impact, limited participation in governance processes, and the growing influence of entrenched leadership structures often referred to as “industry capture.”
AfriSAFE also emphasized the need for professionals to take greater responsibility in shaping the future of the industry. Many practitioners, particularly early-career professionals, are encouraged to move beyond passive membership and actively engage in voting, policy discussions, and institutional reforms.
“Nigeria and many African countries have safety policies in place,” Da-Silva added. “But policies alone do not save lives people do.
And when professionals remain silent or disengaged, systems weaken.”
Under the theme “Safeguarding Lives. Securing the Future.”, AfriSAFE 2026 aims to transition the industry from dialogue to measurable action.
The congress will focus on strengthening institutional accountability, enhancing professional participation, and promoting cross-sector collaboration to improve safety outcomes across Africa.
AfriSAFE continues to position itself as more than an event, but a continental movement dedicated to advancing safety, sustainability, and responsible leadership.
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