At the Catholic University of Central Africa (UCAC), the world of business ethics is experiencing a moment of intellectual transformation. Researchers, university professors, entrepreneurs, policymakers and social actors from different continents have gathered in Yaoundé for a major dialogue on the future of ethical governance, economic responsibility and sustainable leadership.

For the second day of the congress, discussions have focused on the need to reconsider the foundations of business ethics in a world marked by growing inequalities, environmental pressures and questions about the legitimacy of dominant economic models. The meeting seeks to move beyond traditional approaches by recognising that ethical thinking cannot be separated from historical experiences, cultural realities and social contexts.
The presidential address delivered by Professor Florian Wettstein, President of ISBEE and Chair of Business Ethics at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, explored the question: “Decolonizing Decolonization – or: Why is ISBEE going to Cameroon?” His intervention examined the role of academic institutions in reshaping global conversations and creating greater space for perspectives that have long remained at the margins.

Professor Bobby Banerjee from Bayes Business School, City St George’s, University of London, also brought a critical perspective through his keynote presentation on “The Coloniality of Corporate Social Responsibility and Accountability: Perspectives from a Genocide.” His contribution questioned established narratives surrounding corporate responsibility and highlighted the importance of historical awareness in understanding contemporary economic relations.
The opening speech by H.E. Natalie Kohli, Ambassador of Switzerland, underlined the importance of international cooperation in advancing responsible business practices. She praised the partnership between the University of St. Gallen and the Catholic University of Central Africa, describing collaboration between institutions from different regions as essential for building more inclusive approaches to ethics and governance.
The congress, organised by the International Society of Business, Economics and Ethics in collaboration with EthicsLab, reflects a broader ambition: transforming the Global South from a simple field of observation into a source of knowledge, innovation and ethical reflection. The discussions challenge the idea that universal principles must necessarily emerge from a single intellectual tradition.

For Thierry Ngosso, coordinator of EthicsLab and political philosopher, the gathering represents an opportunity to create a genuine dialogue between philosophical traditions. His research, centred on global justice, human rights, climate change, migration and the moral responsibilities of states and companies, has contributed to connecting African perspectives with international debates on ethics.
The programme explores a wide range of subjects, including ethical leadership in periods of uncertainty, the role of community-based values in responsible management, sustainability inspired by Ubuntu philosophy, and the future of business education in an increasingly interconnected world. Participants are also examining questions related to digital responsibility, indigenous knowledge, social justice and the relationship between economic development and collective well-being.
Africa occupies a central place in these conversations because of its complex historical trajectory and its capacity to generate alternative models. While many societies across the continent continue to face economic vulnerabilities, institutional challenges and the consequences of extractive systems, they also demonstrate forms of solidarity, entrepreneurship and environmental responsibility rooted in local traditions.

The concept of Ubuntu, which places human relationships and collective responsibility at the centre of social life, is among the ideas receiving particular attention. Alongside other perspectives from Latin America and Asia, it contributes to a broader reflection on how businesses can integrate principles such as reciprocity, community welfare and interdependence.
Hosting the congress in Cameroon is therefore more than a geographical choice. It represents an attempt to rebalance global academic exchanges by allowing researchers and practitioners from the Global South to actively participate in defining future directions for business ethics rather than simply adapting existing frameworks.
Since its creation in 1996, the ISBEE World Congress has brought together leading specialists every four years in different regions of the world, including Japan, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Poland, China and Spain. Often described as the “Olympics of Business Ethics”, the event has become a major platform for comparing ethical approaches to economic challenges.
With its 2026 edition in Yaoundé, organised by UCAC and EthicsLab, the congress places Cameroon at the centre of an international intellectual movement. Beyond academic discussions, it raises a fundamental question: how can business practices become more responsible when they fully recognise the diversity of human experiences, cultures and visions of justice?

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