In the global rush toward more sustainable business practices, the events industry is
increasingly being challenged to look inward: are they still talking ‘goals and
aspirations’, or is the sector finally delivering meaningful action?
As climate pressures intensify and global audiences demand more responsible
experiences, Africa’s events industry is reshaping what sustainable events can and
should look like, and for RX Africa, the business behind events like WTM Africa,
ILTM Africa, FAME Week Africa, Comic-Con and Decorex, the future of event
sustainability is proudly, unashamedly, and unapologetically African.
“As a continent, we have long embraced resourcefulness and resilience,” says Carol
Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa. “But now, sustainability for us means so
much more – it’s about driving systemic change in the communities we reach. We
need to enable regeneration, not just mitigate harm.”
This is sustainability with African context and African purpose at its core – deeply
practical, grounded in lived realities, and shaped by long-standing community
relationships. And while it aligns with the direction of the global events industry,
what is happening in Africa is driven by local voices, creativity, and priorities.
Regenerative Events: More Than Just Green
While carbon-cutting or waste reduction remain core to sustainable event delivery,
RX Africa is helping shape a regenerative model – one that uplifts communities and
builds lasting economic opportunity.
A good example is WTM Africa’s Responsible Tourism Awards, where each
handcrafted trophy tells a story of circularity. Made by children in partnership with
Uthando SA and using recycled corks donated by conservation-driven Painted Wolf.
Wines, the awards themselves acknowledge Africa’s craft heritage, build local skills,
and keep money circulating in community economies.
This community-first approach extends across RX Africa’s 15-year partnerships with
local NPOs like Oliver’s Village, which supports more than 600 people daily through
education, healthcare, and food access initiatives. Partner organisation 18twenty8
offers university scholarships and mentorship to young women in tourism and PR –
deliberately seeding leadership in historically underrepresented spaces.
The Business Case for Local Innovation
The Crafters Nexus, hosted within WTM Africa, gives small-scale artisans a platform
to connect with the international travel trade. The results are remarkable: one local
business signed a lucrative international contract to design custom bag covers.
Others made critical industry connections that would otherwise be out of reach in
global supply chains dominated by mass manufacturing.
FAME Week Africa – an annual showcase of Africa’s film, television, animation,
music, fashion, and entertainment technology industries – demonstrates similar
impact. At the event’s African Fashion Forum Theatre, ethical stylist Tracy-Lee
Rosslind’s “Overflow” installation spotlighted the 6,000 kilograms of textile waste
discarded every 45 minutes in the Western Cape. Now, she’s taking her mission
global, hosting the African Fashion and Arts Awards in Abuja and leading
sustainability talks with Nigeria’s next-gen designers.
The result is that African design thinking and creativity are being brought directly
into business conversations and trade agreements.
Designing Cleaner Footprints, One Show at a Time
RX Africa contributes to parent company RX Global’s wider commitment to reach
net zero by 2040. This work is supported by a unified global framework that provides
clear guidance, practical tools, and cross-regional collaboration.
“Our global commitment to net zero is only possible because of the collective action
of our teams around the world,” says Helen Sheppard, RX Group Sustainability
Director. “We’re working closely across regions to provide the training, tools, and
support needed to turn our shared sustainability goals into meaningful progress on
the ground.”
The Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) – one of the few venues in
South Africa to formally sign the Net Zero Carbon Events pledge – is also playing a
leading role. As an NZCE signatory, CTICC has committed to reducing event-related
emissions in line with global best practice, reinforcing RX Africa’s efforts to host
cleaner, lower-impact shows. Their commitment also highlights the importance of
strong collaboration across the value chain – from venues and suppliers to organisers
and local communities – as stakeholders work together to accelerate sustainable
event delivery.
Beyond venue partnerships, event organisers are introducing low-waste initiatives
too, including digital-only catalogues, seed-paper badge holders, and recycled-plastic
lanyards. At Decorex, there’s growing momentum toward modular, re-usable area
builds. The aim? To cut down on construction waste and lengthen the life cycle of
design infrastructure across multiple shows. Other simple but effective shifts – like
reusing event lanyards, fabric-based signage for registration walls, and eliminating
plastic bottles – are already in motion across multiple RX events.
Weaving explains that the new “Events Sustainability Scorecard”, launched in
November across the RX portfolio, strengthens this approach by helping teams track
and report on the sustainability actions expected for every show.
“More than a checklist, the scorecard serves as a practical decision-making tool,
opening early conversations with venues, suppliers, and partners across core focus
areas: energy, production, food and beverage, logistics, and travel and
accommodation,” says Weaving. “It ensures that sustainability is not an
afterthought, but a guided, intentional part of how events are planned and
delivered.”
Setting the Standard for 2026
For Weaving, real sustainability is broad and inclusive.
“It’s not just energy efficiency. It’s education, representation, economic access. It’s
giving people the tools to build something that lasts long after the event ends,”
concludes Weaving.picy—take your time and savor the flavors. Some meals are not just eaten; they are experienced.
