The Challenge We Face Together

Delivering excellent retirement outcomes requires effective collaboration between trustees, fund executives, administrators, investment managers, consultants, and service providers. But the environment in which we all operate has transformed:

The investment world has changed:

• Traditional Western markets are no longer the only option or the best option
• Currency risks are more complex than ever
• New partnership opportunities through BRICS and AfCFTA require evaluation
• Investment strategies require new frameworks and deeper trustee understanding

Members have changed:

• They expect instant access to information via mobile phones
• They demand transparency about where their money is invested
• They want to know their savings are making a positive societal impact
• They compare fund service to their banking app experience

Responsibilities have expanded:

• Governance requirements are more rigorous
• ESG considerations are now mandatory, not optional
• Digital transformation decisions require board oversight
• Member communication is a strategic priority, not just an operational issue

What We All Need

Trustees need:

• Practical frameworks for evaluating investment proposals and service provider performance
• Questions to ask that get to the heart of complex issues
• Understanding of what good looks like in digital transformation, member communication, and ESG integration
• Confidence to fulfil fiduciary duties in uncertain times

Fund Executives need:

• Understanding of what trustees require to make informed decisions
• Frameworks for presenting complex information clearly to boards
• Insights into best practices from peer funds across Africa
• Tools for implementing trustee decisions effectively

Service Providers need:

• Understanding of trustee priorities and decision-making processes
• Knowledge of what constitutes genuine value-add versus product promotion
• Insights into emerging trustee needs and market opportunities
• Examples of how to position services as strategic partnerships

Investment Managers need:

• Frameworks for communicating complex strategies to trustee audiences
• Understanding of trustee fiduciary concerns in the new world order
• Examples of successful investment approaches in African contexts
• Tools for demonstrating value and building trustee confidence

Administrators and Consultants need:

• Understanding of modern member expectations and service standards
• Frameworks for operational excellence and digital transformation
• Knowledge of what trustees expect from administration and consulting services
• Best practices from across the African retirement fund ecosystem

This conference will equip all parties with what they need to work together effectively.

Day 1: Understand and Navigate the New World Order

For Trustees:

Investment Decisions in Uncertain Times

• Practical frameworks for evaluating currency diversification proposals
• Questions to ask fund managers about portfolio resilience
• Real examples from African funds that have successfully navigated these changes

Governance for Complex Environments

• What effective board oversight looks like when investment strategies are more complex
• How to ensure your governance framework is fit for purpose
• Trustee education requirements for the new landscape
• Case studies of governance failures and successes

Operational Resilience

• What you need to know about cybersecurity and digital risks
• How to evaluate your fund's crisis preparedness
• Questions to ask about business continuity plans
• Real-world examples of funds that faced crises and how they responded

For Fund Executives and Service Providers:

Supporting Trustee Decision-Making

• How to present complex investment strategies in ways trustees can evaluate
• What information trustees need to fulfil their oversight responsibilities
• How to build trustee confidence in new approaches and strategies
• Examples of effective trustee-executive partnerships

Delivering Operational Excellence

• Best practices in operational resilience and risk management
• How to demonstrate value and effectiveness to boards
• Frameworks for continuous improvement and innovation
• Case studies of successful operational transformations

Value for all participants: Day 1 equips trustees with frameworks for evaluating proposals and asking the right questions, whilst equipping executives and service providers with understanding of what trustees need and how to deliver it effectively.

Day 2: Build the New Normal for Your Members

For Trustees:

Member Expectations and Communication

• What members actually want from their retirement fund today (based on research, not assumptions)
• How to evaluate whether your fund's communication meets modern standards
• Practical examples of funds delivering excellent member experiences
• What good looks like in member portals, mobile apps, and digital communication

Digital Transformation Oversight

• Questions to ask about digital transformation proposals and costs
• How to ensure technology investments deliver member value, not just operational efficiency
• What you need to know about AI, data analytics, and automation
• Red flags that indicate digital transformation is going wrong

ESG and Impact Investment

• Your fiduciary responsibilities regarding ESG integration
• How to evaluate ESG investment proposals from your investment team
• What impact measurement means and how to communicate it to members
• African case studies of successful ESG integration

Benefit Innovation

• How other funds are adapting benefits for gig economy workers and diverse career paths
• Questions to ask about benefit design flexibility
• Balancing member access needs with long-term savings preservation
• Practical examples of innovative benefit solutions

For Fund Executives and Service Providers:

Delivering Member-Centric Excellence

• How to design and implement member communication that meets modern expectations
• Technology solutions that deliver real member value
• Best practices in member engagement and experience design
• How to measure and demonstrate member satisfaction to boards

ESG Integration and Impact

• Practical frameworks for ESG integration in African contexts
• How to measure and communicate impact to trustees and members
• Examples of successful ESG strategies from African funds
• Addressing trustee concerns about ESG and fiduciary duty

Innovation and Transformation

• How to lead digital transformation that boards will support
• Benefit innovation approaches that balance flexibility and sustainability
• Change management for member-centric transformation
• Building the business case for innovation

Value for all participants: Day 2 equips trustees with tools for overseeing transformation and evaluating proposals, whilst equipping executives and service providers with frameworks for delivering member-centric excellence that meets trustee expectations.

Practical, Not Theoretical

Every session is designed to give all participants actionable insights:

• Case Studies: Real examples from African funds, not theoretical models
• Practical Frameworks: Tools you can use in your next board meeting or client engagement
• Question Lists: Specific questions trustees should ask and executives should anticipate
• Peer Learning: Hear from fellow industry participants about what worked and what didn't

Facilitated Discussions

You will participate in facilitated discussions where:

• IRFA representatives ensure content meets thought leadership standards
• Trustees can ask questions and challenge presenters
• Executives and service providers can share their experiences and solutions
• The focus is on solving real problems collaboratively, not promoting products

Thought Leadership Only

All presenters, including sponsors, must deliver substantive content that advances knowledge. Product pitches are not permitted. This ensures every session is worth your time and delivers genuine value.

For Trustees

Investment and Risk Management

• How do I know if our investment strategy is still appropriate for the new world order?
• What questions should I ask about currency diversification proposals?
• How do I evaluate infrastructure investment opportunities?
• What does good risk management look like today?
• How do I ensure our investment team is considering ESG factors appropriately?

Governance and Oversight

• What governance framework is appropriate for today's complex environment?
• How do I provide effective oversight of digital transformation?
• What education do I need as a trustee to fulfill my responsibilities?
• How do I ensure we're getting value for money from service providers?
• What are my fiduciary responsibilities regarding member communication?

Member Experience

• How do I know if our member communication is adequate?
• What should I expect from a modern member portal or mobile app?
• How do we balance member access needs with long-term savings preservation?
• What does good member engagement look like?
• How do we build trust with members who are skeptical of institutions?

Operational Excellence

• What questions should I ask about cybersecurity and digital risks?
• How do I evaluate our fund's operational resilience?
• What does business continuity planning mean in practice?
• How do I know if our administration is efficient and effective?
• What red flags indicate operational problems?

For Fund Executives and Service Providers

Supporting Trustees Effectively

• What information do trustees need to make informed decisions?
• How do I present complex strategies in ways boards can evaluate?
• What questions should I anticipate from trustees?
• How do I build trustee confidence in new approaches?

Delivering Excellence

• What do modern member expectations mean for service delivery?
• How do I demonstrate value and effectiveness to boards?
• What does operational excellence look like in practice?
• How do I position my services as strategic partnerships, not vendor relationships?

Innovation and Transformation

• How do I lead digital transformation that boards will support?
• What ESG integration approaches work in African contexts?
• How do I measure and communicate impact effectively?
• What benefit innovations are other funds implementing successfully?

Trustees and Board Members

Pension Fund Trustees:
Gain practical frameworks for fulfilling your fiduciary duties in a transformed landscape.

Board Members:
Understand what effective oversight looks like when investment strategies and member expectations have both evolved dramatically.

Board Chairs:
Learn how to lead your board through complex decisions about investment strategy, digital transformation, and member communication.

Newly Appointed Trustees:
Get up to speed quickly on the key issues facing retirement funds today and what you need to know to be effective.

Experienced Trustees:
Update your knowledge and frameworks for a world that has changed significantly since you first joined a board.

Fund Executives and Management

Principal Officers and CEOs:
Understand what trustees need from you and how to present complex information effectively to boards.

Chief Investment Officers:
Learn how to communicate investment strategies in ways that build trustee confidence and enable informed decision-making.

Chief Operating Officers:
Gain frameworks for operational excellence and digital transformation that meet both trustee oversight needs and member expectations.

Heads of Member Services:
Understand modern member expectations and best practices in member communication and engagement.

Service Providers and Partners

Investment Managers and Consultants:
Understand trustee decision-making processes and how to position your services as strategic partnerships.

Administrators and Technology Providers:
Learn what constitutes excellence in administration and digital services from a trustee and member perspective.

ESG and Impact Investment Specialists:
Understand trustee fiduciary concerns and how to communicate ESG value propositions effectively.

Consultants and Advisors:
Gain insights into emerging trustee needs and best practices from across the African retirement fund ecosystem.

Regulators and Policymakers

Regulatory Authorities:
Engage directly with trustees and fund leaders to understand industry challenges and opportunities.

Policymakers:
Gain industry perspectives on regulatory frameworks that support both member interests and industry sustainability.

For Trustees

Practical Tools:

• Investment Evaluation Framework: Questions to ask when reviewing investment proposals
• Governance Checklist: Ensuring your governance framework is fit for purpose
• Member Communication Standards: What good looks like in member engagement
• Digital Transformation Oversight Guide: Questions to ask about technology investments
• ESG Integration Framework: How to evaluate ESG proposals from your investment team

Knowledge and Confidence:

• Clear understanding of global changes affecting your investment options
• Confidence to ask tough questions of your executives and service providers
• Knowledge of what other African funds are doing successfully
• Frameworks for making better decisions in uncertain times
• Network of fellow trustees facing similar challenges

Actionable Insights:

• Specific actions you can take in your next board meeting
• Questions to ask at your next investment committee meeting
• Areas where your fund may need to improve
• Examples of best practice you can implement
• Red flags to watch for in your fund's operations

For Fund Executives and Service Providers

Practical Tools:

• Trustee Communication Framework: How to present complex information effectively
• Member Experience Standards: What modern member expectations require
• Operational Excellence Checklist: Best practices across African funds
• Innovation Implementation Guide: How to lead transformation successfully

Knowledge and Confidence:

• Understanding of what trustees need to fulfil their fiduciary duties
• Knowledge of best practices from peer funds across Africa
• Frameworks for delivering member-centric excellence
• Confidence to propose and implement innovation

Actionable Insights:

• How to position your services as strategic partnerships
• What information trustees need for different types of decisions
• Examples of successful implementations you can adapt
• Red flags that indicate trustee concerns
• Opportunities for adding genuine value

Day 1: Navigating the New World Order (09:00 - 17:00)

Morning: Understanding global shifts and their implications for investment strategy
Midday: Governance frameworks for complex environments
Afternoon: Operational resilience and risk management
Evening: Networking with fellow industry participants

Day 2: Building the New Normal for Members (09:00 - 17:00)

Morning: Member expectations and communication excellence
Midday: Digital transformation and technology oversight
Afternoon: ESG integration and benefit innovation

Each session includes:

• Expert presentations with African case studies
• Facilitated discussions with trustees, executives, and service providers
• Practical Q&A addressing specific concerns from all perspectives
• Actionable takeaways you can implement immediately

No Sales Pitches:
All presenters must deliver thought leadership content. Product demonstrations are not permitted.

Collaborative Learning:
Sessions designed to facilitate dialogue between trustees, executives, and service providers—not one-way presentations.

Practical, Not Academic:
Real case studies, practical frameworks, and actionable insights—not theoretical discussions.

African Context:
Examples and solutions relevant to African markets, regulatory environments, and member demographics.

Peer Learning:
Facilitated discussions where all participants learn from each other, not just from presenters.

Quality Controlled:
IRFA facilitators ensure every session meets high standards and stays focused on delivering genuine value.

The world has changed. Member expectations have evolved. Investment options are different. Governance responsibilities are more complex.

Delivering excellent retirement outcomes requires all of us—trustees, executives, service providers—working together with shared understanding and common purpose.

The IRFA 2026 Conference will equip everyone in the retirement fund ecosystem with the knowledge and tools needed to fulfil our collective responsibility to members.

Your members are counting on all of us. Let's make sure we have the knowledge, tools, and partnerships to serve them well.

This conference is an investment in our collective ability to deliver excellent retirement outcomes. Members' retirement security depends on effective collaboration between trustees, executives, and service providers. Join us to ensure that collaboration is informed by the best possible knowledge and insights.