CEO Roundtable: Nigerian Private Sector Endorses Transition Pathways for SDG Progress
CEO Roundtable: Nigerian Private Sector Endorses Transition Pathways for SDG Progress
Less than five years remain to achieve the 2030 Agenda, with only 17% of delivery targets for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on target; this represents a crisis.
According to the UNDP Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024, over 1.1 billion people across the world live in multidimensional poverty; of that number, 533 million people are in sub-Saharan Africa, with a further 133 million in Nigeria.
It is against this backdrop that the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, the Sterling One Foundation (an initiative of Global Compact participant, Sterling Bank) and the United Nations in Nigeria organised a high-level CEO roundtable in Lagos, the commercial capital of Africa’s most populous nation, to rally the private sector around accelerating progress on the SDGs through six critical “transition pathways” identified by the United Nations (UN).
The roundtable’s discussions held on 15 April 2025 focused on catalyzing impact in six priority areas that offer high potential for accelerating sustainable development outcomes: food systems, energy access, digital connectivity, education, jobs and social protection, and climate resilience. The UN believes this approach zeroes in on key areas where targeted action can drive outsized gains across multiple SDGs, moving from commitments to concrete solutions.
Naomi Nwokolo, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network Nigeria, opened the forum by emphasizing that aligning business strategies with the SDGs is a moral and economic imperative. “Accelerating SDG implementation is both a clear business imperative for long-term success,” Nwokolo said, highlighting that the six transition pathways provide a “strategic lens for impactful investment.”
The United Nations applauded the private sector’s proactive role and reinforced the call for partnership. Mohamed Malick Fall, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, delivered remarks noting that “our ability to meet the SDGs now depends on one thing – collective, decisive action at the local level.” He urged leaders to “break down silos, forge stronger partnerships, and commit to concrete action” that will deliver impact on the ground, echoing UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ charge to “rescue the SDGs” and keep the promise of a better world.
Meanwhile, Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation, in her address stressed the urgent and critical role held by the private sector. “The urgency is clear. Our efforts on the SDGs are not yet where they need to be. We are at a critical inflection point, less than five years from the 2030 deadline, with millions still trapped in multidimensional poverty and vulnerable to the cascading effects of climate change, inequality, and economic uncertainty. The private sector must scale investments and take bold steps that create impact in communities.”
Private sector leaders at the roundtable echoed this resolve, while on the policy side, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Nigerian Presidential Fiscal Policy & Tax Reform Committee, revealed that Nigeria’s forthcoming national fiscal policy will feature a dedicated section on the SDGs, aiming to hardwire development targets into governance.
This CEO Roundtable is part of a broader effort to unite business, development, and public sector actors around the SDGs in Nigeria and across Africa. To build on the momentum from the roundtable discussions, businesses are being encouraged to actively participate in newly established cross-sector working groups. These groups are designed to focus on the transition areas most relevant to members, serving as collaborative platforms to align initiatives, pool resources, and move forward to drive collective impact in support of strategic investment and sustainability goals.
On the eve of the Africa CEO Forum, the UN Global Compact will host a Networking Cocktail in Abidjan to bring together business leaders from its participating companies and its partners from across Africa, including Côte d’Ivoire. Leveraging the presence in Abidjan of the Assistant Secretary General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, Ms Sanda Ojiambo , this exclusive and high level gathering will provide invitees with a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and build relationships ahead of the Forum around corporate sustainability and the role of the UN Global Compact in the acceleration of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with the private sector in Africa and in Cote d’Ivoire. With an expected turnout of 100 invitees, the evening will offer a relaxed setting to foster meaningful conversations and lay the groundwork for sustainable businesses and impacts in Africa. 📅 Sunday, May 11, 2025, 7.00-9.00 PM 📍 Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire Free Event but upon invitation.
Kampala Declaration calls for scaling up Forward Faster initiative across Africa To accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, the United Nations Global Compact hosted the SDGs Activation Day earlier this week as part of its Forward Faster Now Africa initiative. The SDG Activation Day served as the private sector space within the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) held 7–11 April. With the theme, “Moving Forward Faster Now on the SDGs with African Businesses,” the SDG Activation Day brought together CEOs, corporate sustainability professionals, private sector leaders as well as representatives from Governments, policymakers, UN officials and other stakeholders from across Africa for high-level discussions. With only 17 per cent of SDG targets on track for 2030 , the UN Global Compact launched its Forward Faster initiative in 2023 to mobilize ambitious corporate action in high-impact areas: gender equality, living wage, water resilience, climate action and sustainable finance. Forward Faster calls on business leaders everywhere to drive companies to take measurable, credible and ambitious action in 5 areas that have the power to accelerate progress across all 17 SDGs where the private sector can collectively make the biggest, fastest impact by 2030. Opening discussions, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact , emphasized the critical role of private businesses in achieving the 2030 Agenda: “To achieve the Africa that we all want, we know that we need forward thinkers – bold private sector leaders committed to working together and alongside Governments and civil society. Our UN Global Compact Forward Faster initiative is designed to guide and support business leaders and companies in areas where the business community is best equipped to scale sustainable business and sustainable development. These companies tell us that joining Forward Faster has helped shape company strategy, increase visibility, and build public trust, as well as get ahead of new regulations.” The convening highlighted the urgent need for businesses to take action, inspiring participants to raise their ambitions. Through dedicated sessions on gender equality, sustainable finance and living wage, attendees heard tangible examples from leading African companies, facilitating peer learning to share best practices. In each session, attendees explored innovative approaches to enhance private sector engagement in sustainability, especially actions that businesses can take now, without any need for additional resources. In his remarks, Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), urged business leaders to act decisively, noting that with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) unlocking the potential of a $3.4 trillion market, the opportunities to harness Africa’s potential are immense if done inclusively and sustainably. “The private sector is no bystander; it is indispensable to job creation, innovation, and ultimately, prosperity for all Africans,” Pedro said. “We must move beyond visions, declarations, and plans— beyond even conferences—and translate these commitments into concrete action.” The Kampala Declaration, the outcome document of the ARFSD-11, included a call for incentivizing private sector investments aligned with the SDGs and for scaling up the Forward Faster initiative in Africa to accelerate progress on the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Key discussions on driving SDGs action. On sustainable finance, SDG Activation Day participants discussed how innovative public-private-partnerships (PPPs) can serve as a way to collaboratively create transformative impact. Financial services executives also shared how capital can be mobilized towards the SDGs, sharing learnings on risk management, blended finance and financial inclusion. During the gender equality session, private sector leaders shared how they were able to move the needle within their organizations through recruitment, retention, procurement and male allyship. On living wages, participants called for cross-sector collaboration—from policy and awareness to research and technical support to ensure fair pay that lifts workers out of poverty and fuels economic growth. Members of the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) highlighted how collective action is a multiplier for impact. Leaders shared how the ABLC has already mobilized nearly 5 billion USD for climate action and centred the importance of promoting women’s economic inclusion with the ABLC Gender Statement . The ARFSD is an annual inter-governmental and multi-stakeholder platform mandated to review progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, while identifying and promoting interventions to accelerate implementation of the two Agendas, and generating Africa’s regional inputs to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and other major national, regional, and global meetings. The African private sector has embraced the sustainable development agenda and the UN Global Compact now counts more than 1,100 participants in the region. To date, more than 115 companies in Africa have made 585 specific commitments to deliver meaningful progress by 2030. We all call on African businesses of all sizes to commit to one or more forward faster targets. For those who are not yet Global Compact participants, learn more about joining the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative HERE. Click here to see visuals from the forum.
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Join the SDGs Activation Day at Forward Faster Now Africa
The year 2024 marked a significant period of progress and innovation for the UN Global Compact across the Africa region. The organization advanced its mission to promote sustainability and corporate responsibility by engaging diverse stakeholders, fostering impactful partnerships, and addressing critical challenges. These efforts spanned various countries and thematic areas, driving meaningful contributions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Below, we highlight the year’s key milestones, regionally and in specific countries. Africa Region Highlights - 3rd Africa Business and Human Rights Forum (October 8-10, 2024, Nairobi): Engaged over 400 participants from the private sector, governments, UN, and NGOs. Achievements included raising awareness on advancing human rights national action plans, showcasing policy designs by Global Compact participants, and strengthening partnerships with organizations like UNDP and OHCHR to advance the Business and Human Rights agenda in 2025. - Hub and Networks’ Session at GABI 2024 (September 25, 2024, New York): Reached 40+ participants, highlighting the energy transition and digital transformation impacts achieved by Global Compact companies in Africa, and inspired scaling these efforts continent-wide. Country Highlights Angola - Inaugural Advisory Committee Meeting (2024): Marked the beginning of preparations to establish a Local Network in Angola. Strengthened strategic partnerships with the UN Resident Coordinator, Secretary of State for Climate Change, and the Securities Market Commission. - Policy Enablers Consultation (June 18, 2024): Engaged 36 high-level participants, discussing digitalization, energy transition, and challenges in enabling sustainable private sector action. - Sustainability Journey in the Financial Sector (2024): In collaboration with Atlantico Bank, engaged over 200 participants, highlighted sustainability efforts in the region, and demonstrated the UN Global Compact’s influence at multiple levels. Botswana - Open House (May 14, 2024, Gaborone): Reached 42 stakeholders, including media, government, and diplomatic missions. Outcomes included raising awareness of the UNGC mission and developing new partnerships. - CEO Forum (July 8, 2024, Gaborone): Engaged 70+ participants, recruiting 10 new companies, strengthening partnerships with Business Botswana, and fostering meaningful dialogue on sustainability challenges. Côte d’Ivoire - Advisory Board Establishment (October 2023): Expanded the network from 5 to 28 members by December 2024, enhanced visibility, and raised awareness of the UNGC presence through participation in the CGECI Academy. - Participation in CGECI Academy (October 2023): Held a booth and engaged in multilateral and bilateral discussions to showcase the UNGC’s presence. Increased membership from 5 to 28 members by December 2024. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - Annual CEO Cocktail (June 21, 2024, Kinshasa): Recruited 19 companies, up from 3 in 2023, and positioned the Network as a sustainability leader. - World Cleanup Day (September 21, 2024, Kinshasa): Gathered over 1,000 attendees, including CEOs, ambassadors, and government representatives. Achievements included elevating waste management issues and launching the Waste and Environmental Management initiative for Kinshasa, set for May 2025. Egypt - Pathways to Sustainable Africa Forum (May 21, 2024, Cairo): Brought together over 800 participants and 60 speakers to discuss sustainability challenges, with topics ranging from green hydrogen to food security. Facilitated interdisciplinary dialogue and successful partnerships. - Private Sector Consultation on Anti-Corruption Strategy (February 27, 2024, Cairo): Engaged 25 companies, establishing UNGC Egypt as a pivotal partner in anti-corruption efforts and aligning private sector strategies with national policies. - Sustain 360 Capacity Building Program (July 21-23 and September 2024, Cairo): Trained 40 participants from 24 companies over six days, equipping them with tools and frameworks to integrate sustainability into operations. Ghana - SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals (February-September 2024, Accra): Engaged young innovators, achieving 80% attendance at innovation camps and launching impactful projects that contributed to SDGs such as Climate Action and Quality Education. Kenya - Quarterly Meeting on Women Empowerment Principles (August 7, 2024, Nairobi): Convened 96 participants to discuss gender equality and the draft National Care Policy. - Policy Dialogue on Business and Human Rights (November 11, 2024, Nairobi): Highlighted legislative frameworks, the role of technology in supply chain transparency, and drafted a policy paper on Business and Human Rights. Mauritius - Business and Human Rights Information Session (December 4, 2024, Ebene): Engaged 26 in-person and 5 virtual participants to discuss human rights due diligence and local legal frameworks. Recruited potential companies and highlighted UNGC’s role in supporting businesses. Nigeria - CEO Roundtable on Forward Faster Initiative (September 23, 2024): Mobilized commitments from 20 companies to integrate Forward Faster targets into strategies, emphasizing collaboration and accountability for SDGs. - Living Wage Business Roundtable (November 6, 2024): Engaged 30 companies on living wage commitments, advocating structural reforms and compliance mechanisms aligned with ILO standards. - Transformational Governance Toolkit Launch (March 5, 2024): Introduced tools for ethical governance, showcasing innovative strategies to enhance corporate responsibility. Rwanda - CEO Breakfast (February 29, 2024, Kigali): Recruited 15 companies and announced plans for a local UNGC network. - CEO Roundtable during Africa CEO Forum (May 15, 2024, Kigali): Secured 5 new commitments to join UNGC and refined programming for Rwanda. - UNGC Academy Workshop (November 21, 2024, Kigali): Enhanced sustainability knowledge among businesses, resulting in commitments to online training and supply chain engagement initiatives. South Africa - Private Sector VNR Report Launch (August 28, 2024): Presented the 2024 report to government, highlighting progress and challenges in achieving the SDGs, and solidified UNGC South Africa’s role as a sustainability thought leader. - Strategic Partnership with Future of Sustainability Conference (March 19-20, 2024): GCNSA hosted a fireside chat on accelerating business performance on ESG, branded as a strategic partner, and used a booth to market its initiatives. Tanzania - Business SDG Awards (September 6, 2024): Recognized organizations for SDG implementation, inspiring sustainability actions among 120 delegates. - Corporate Wellness Conference (April 17, 2024): Discussed wellness trends with over 200 delegates and showcased successful case studies. - Business Integrity Forum (October 24, 2024): Launched the Responsible Business Code of Ethics, with 40 organizations signing on to foster integrity. - Executive Roundtable Dialogue on Corporate Wellness (July 25, 2024): Enhanced understanding of integrating wellness in ESG reporting, leading to a framework development initiative. Tunisia - Ecological Transition Project (Ongoing since November 1, 2023): Conducted CSR training and developed guides for the mobility sector. - Integrity Core Establishment (May 27, 2024): Launched initiatives to promote transparency and good governance, supported by workshops and strategic planning. The UN Global Compact’s efforts across Africa in 2024 underscore its commitment to advancing sustainability and fostering collaboration. By addressing critical challenges and leveraging innovative solutions, the organization has laid a robust foundation for future progress, inspiring stakeholders to continue striving toward a more sustainable and equitable continent.
Kigali, Rwanda - The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in Rwanda recently hosted a successful onboarding academy workshop, bringing together 25 participants from 15 organizations committed to corporate sustainability and responsible business practices. The workshop, held on November 21st, 2024, at the UNDP Compound, aimed to familiarize Rwandan businesses with the UNGC Academy and its resources, tailored to their specific sustainability interests. The event was attended by representatives from various UN entities, including OHCHR and UNRCO. Empowering Businesses for Sustainable Development. The UNGC Academy provides a comprehensive platform for businesses to access valuable resources, tools, and training modules. The academy's e-learning platform covers a wide range of topics under its four main pillars: human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption. "We have now a comprehensive strategy and program for SMEs. This is crucial as we aim to expand the largest economies and achieve inclusive impact in Africa," said Herve Lado, UN Global Compact Africa Regional Head. Achieving Sustainability Through Collaboration The workshop achieved several key outcomes, including: Enhanced knowledge of Rwandan businesses using online academy resources Ten commitments to access the UNGC Academy and actively explore available resources Five commitments to undertake online training in specific areas of interest Two companies pledged to complete the SPARK form to engage their supply chains Three SMEs agreed to join SPARK, a global community of SMEs accelerating their sustainability journey The UN Global Compact is committed to supporting businesses in Rwanda and across Africa in their sustainability journeys, promoting inclusive growth, and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A Call to Action As the UN Global Compact continues to make remarkable strides in Africa, we encourage more businesses to join the initiative and embark on their sustainability journey. Together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.
