The Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC), a CEO-led coalition formed to amplify the collective voice of the African private sector, was established in May 2022 under the United Nations Global Compact. The ABLC has grown to 75 companies collectively representing USD 170+ billion in revenues and nearly one million employees, operating across 96% of African countries. Firmly rooted in the UN Global Compact Strategy 2026-2030 as a key initiative to catalyze collective action, ABLC members are committed to advancing sustainable growth, prosperity and development in Africa by bringing measurable impact to its most pressing issues.

The ABLC gathered the perspectives of African CEOs and Board Chairs on gender equality across the continent. These conversations lead to the African Business Leaders' Gender Statement, which includes several inward and outward activities to foster gender equality in addition to a bold call to action.

READ THE GENDER STATEMENT

The ABLC Gender Statement builds on the findings of a survey by the UN Global Compact and Boston Consulting Group of men and women across five major African economies (Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa). The survey found there is a significant expectation-reality gap with many believing there was gender parity in spite of empirical evidence and men and women's own experiences in Africa showing otherwise. The survey outlined steps private sector companies must take to drive forward gender equality in business.

Read the Corporate Africa Advancing Gender Equality Report

Following COP 27, the coalition deepened its focus on climate action through tracking its climate statement commitments and policy advocacy. These efforts led to the development of the ABLC's first policy blueprint, From Vision to Action: A Policy Blueprint for Channelling $130 Trillion Private Capital into Africa's Sustainable Business Future. In partnership with the Center of Global Energy Policy Energy Opportunity Lab at Columbia SIPA, the ABLC launched its first policy blueprint at COP 28.

Read the Policy Blueprint

On the heels of COP 30 in Belém, the ABLC launched its third voluntary Annual Impact Report, which showcases significant advances in climate finance, renewable energy, and resilience efforts, as well as gender equality strategy and representation, working models, safety, and women entrepreneurship. Surveyed ABLC Membership reported mobilizing 9.4 billion USD for climate action, increasing their renewable energy mix to 59% (more than double the 27% ambition set under the initial Climate Statement goals) and 50% of members have climate resilience plans. The ABLC also provided a baseline for gender equality work in its first consolidated measurement year; 84% of ABLC companies integrate gender-equality strategies into their core business, 37% measure gender-based pay discrepancies, and 65% implement anti-discrimination training. Members collectively directed USD 1.02 billion to women-led enterprises and entrepreneurship programs.

Read the 2025 ABLC Annual Impact Report

At COP 29 in Baku as part of the UN Global Compact's high-level Caring for Climate event, the ABLC launched its second annual Voluntary Climate Report which showcases significant advancements in climate finance, renewable energy, adaptation and resilience efforts, in addition to strategies for a just transition to a green economy. Surveyed ABLC Membership reported mobilizing 4.8 billion USD for climate action, increasing their renewable energy mix to 28% and 94% plan to or have completed climate risk assessments.

At COP 28 in Dubai, the ABLC also launched its Voluntary Climate Report that details the progress achieved by coalition members in alignment with the ABLC 2022 Climate Statement. It provides a transparent overview of the committed efforts and advancements made towards impactful climate action on the continent.

Co-Chairs and Advisory Council

With support from Boston Consulting Group.