Risk Governance & Management Conference Africa
In general terms, risk governance means the responsible management of risks, with societal sustainability requirements, such as combating climate change or effective banking supervision, playing an important role at the macro level and the management of business risks, especially financial risks, at the micro level.
Description
Depending on how one chooses to look at it, today's world has either proved a challenging or exciting conundrum for risk professionals the world over; because the sheer amount of uncertainty and complexity of the situations that have to deal with in recent times is unprecedented.
In the words of the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risk Report, underlying geopolitical tensions combined with the eruption of active hostilities in multiple regions are just but a few of the issues contributing to an unstable global and business operating order, characterised by polarizing narratives, eroding trust and insecurity.
At the same time, countries and business are grappling with the impacts of record-breaking extreme weather conditions, as climate-change adaptation efforts and resources fall short of the type, scale and intensity of climate-related events already taking place. Cost-of-living pressures continue to bite, amidst persistently elevated inflation and interest rates and continued economic uncertainty in much of the world.
In general terms, risk governance means the responsible management of risks, with societal sustainability requirements, such as combating climate change or effective banking supervision, playing an important role at the macro level and the management of business risks, especially financial risks, at the micro level.
According to the WEF, below are the biggest risk factors affecting businesses, state and corporate leaders, as well as risk professionals today:
- Economic: Risks including national economic downturns and inflation
- Environmental: ESG, sustainability, climate change, pollution, shortages of natural resources, extreme weather events, among others
- Technological: cybersecurity concerns, adverse effects of AI technologies; as well as misinformation and disinformation
- Societal: Involuntary migration, societal polarisation; and lack of economic opportunity
- Geopolitical: shifting international relations and armed conflicts
- Board Importance: Regulators expect credible evidence of dynamic risk assessment and decision-making from boards and senior management. This includes formalized documentation, mapping, ownership, and ongoing testing and monitoring of controls
- Risk Management: The robustness of the risk framework across all three lines of defence is critical. This involves ensuring that risk and compliance programs are geared to current and emerging risks and are sufficiently resourced1.
- Individual Accountability: There is a focus on individual accountability and companies deemed to be “repeat offenders” in investigations and enforcements.
- Third-party Risk: With companies increasingly dependent on third parties for mission-critical services, there is a greater regulatory and risk exposure that needs to be managed.
These risks are multifaceted, borderless, shared regularly and widely, and can give a sense of frustration to risk managers and related stakeholders. On the other hand, these challenges highlight the importance of a proactive and integrated approach to governance, risk management, and compliance in today's complex operating environment.
Against this backdrop, the Risk Governance and Management Conference was organised with the aim of exploring the rise of global risks, the tectonic clashes between them, as well as their impact on businesses countries and professionals in the risk governance and management space.
The conference will provide a platform for leaders to tackle conversations that most organisations are not comfortable sharing with peers, the risks that all our organisations face. These conversations can no longer be avoided. Businesses need insights to be able to face the risks and maximise organisational performance without compromising value.
Join our experts and fellow industry peers as we tackle these important conversations with an esteemed group of risk experts, who will share their insights as we unpack and discuss critical risk issues affecting Africa today.
Course Objectives
- Learn best practices on a wide array of topics on issues on risk governance and management from leading voices in the industry.
- Learn of actionable strategies directly from corporate leaders dealing with most critical governance compliance and risk issues
- Explore new tools and solutions from established and emerging solutions providers offering the latest risk management tools and systems.
- Stay current with what is happening in the industry.
- Develop an understanding of the key issue facing directors and boards with regards to the risk environment today
- Understand the current issues of leadership as they affect the risk governance and general corporate governance of public and private organisations
- Develop your capacity to develop winning leadership strategies and solutions to navigate uncertain times
- Share practical ideas on internal audit procedures which are risk based and independent.
- Appreciate the changing and scope of corporate governance, risk and compliance management.
- Gain essential insight on how to steer clear of trouble as the regulating environment grows more complicated
- Appreciate how effective governance is crucial to facilitate efficiency in optimum service delivery
- Understand how to champion effective risk and corporate governance practices for the success and competitive advantage of your respective organisation
- Gain meaningful connections with industry leaders; network and build professional relationships: the conference brings together risk management professionals from all over Africa, giving you an opportunity to network and expand your professional horizons
The Course Content
DAY 1 APRIL 8, 2025
07:30 Registration
08:20 Opening Remarks
08:30 KEYNOTE: Redefining the board’s engagement for the evolving risk landscape: Corporate governance’s role in risk management.
Presenter: Colleen Theron CEO: Ardea International (UK).
10:30 Tea Break
11:00 ESG and risk governance
Presenter: Clemence McNulty: Partner; Sustainability & Climate Change: EY
13:00 LUNCH
14:00 Panel discussion: The evolving role of the risk professional
Invited Panellists: Ruth Mutebe: Chairperson: African Federation of Institutes of Internal Auditors (AFIIA)
16:00 Day 1 Close
DAY 2 APRIL 23, 2025
08:30 Macro and emerging risk landscape
Invited Presenter: Jana De Kluiver: Research Officer: Institute of Security Studies
10:00 Break
10:30 Analysing the governance of cyber risks within organisations
12:00 Managing risk in the banking and insurance industry: A Case study
13:00 LUNCH
14:00 Risk culture and accountability
Invited Presenter: Maureen Noonan: Manager: Risk: City of Cape Town
15:30 Case Study: Risk governance and management in the energy sector
Invited Presenter: Seun Suleiman: Managing Director Nigeria & Ghana: Siemens Energy
16:30 Day 2 Close
DAY 3 APRIL 24, 2025
08:30 Manoeuvring the changing business landscape and risk profile in the age of digital disruption and heightened technology risks
10:00 Break
10:30 Risk governance and the future
Invited Presenter: Deon Cloete: Head; Futures Programme: South African Institute of International Affairs
12:00 Panel Discussion: Risk management and governance in the financial industry
Presenter: Wiehann Olivier: Partner: Forvis Mazars South Africa
13:00 LUNCH
14:00 TOUR
DAY 4 APRIL 25, 2025
09:00 WORKSHOP ON AI FOR RISK GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS
Facilitator: Scott Timcke: Senior Research Associate: Research ICT Africa
Topics
Development and use of AI for risk management and governance
AI Risk Fundamentals: Defining artificial intelligence; and the opportunities it presents in the risk management process
AI in risk management: A transformative force shaping the future of risk management
Using AI to enhance risk management
13:00 Conference Closes