Sustainable Growth in Africa: Leveraging ESG Standards and Tech for Market Readiness
Sustainable Growth in Africa: Leveraging ESG Standards and Tech for Market Readiness
Panelists at the ABF2025 17 February 2025 ©United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
The Africa Business Forum 2025 (ABF), held on 17 February in Addis Ababa and organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), brought together thought leaders and stakeholders to explore pathways for transforming Africa’s regional value chains. A key focus was the roundtable discussion titled Achieving Sustainability and Standards Compliance: Unlocking African Value Chains for Local and Global Markets. Dr Hervé Lado, Africa Head, United Nations Global Compact, joined a distinguished panel including Dr. Debo Akande of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA); Ms. Serah Makka of the ONE Campaign in Africa; Amb. Albert Mudenda Muchanga of the African Union Commission (AUC); Dr. Hermogène Nsengimana of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO); and Dr. Sylvia Vito of Eva Pharma. Together, they emphasised the critical role of technology in advancing sustainability, driving efficiency, and enhancing global market readiness across key sectors such as leather, minerals, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
Dr. Lado highlighted the transformative potential of the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact
and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
in empowering African businesses, particularly SMEs, to thrive in emerging markets. He underscored how these principles—spanning human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption—provide a robust framework for aligning with universal sustainability standards. Through adoption of these principles, African SMEs can build trust, ensure compliance, and enhance their competitiveness in global markets while contributing to sustainable development. This alignment strengthens market readiness and positions SMEs as key players in driving efficiency and innovation across critical sectors.
For African SMEs, adopting these principles is a strategic advantage. Embedding sustainability into core operations improves reputation, attracts ethical investors, and opens access to international markets. The Ten Principles also serve as a foundation for achieving the SDGs, creating synergy between corporate responsibility and global development objectives.
A major challenge for African businesses is aligning with international Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, traceability, and quality requirements, which are critical for accessing global markets and securing financing. The UN Global Compact’s framework offers a roadmap for African SMEs to meet these demands while fostering innovation and resilience. For instance, adherence to ESG principles can unlock green financing and ethical supply chains, while traceability standards ensure transparency and accountability. These standards can emphasized position businesses as reliable partners in global value chains, from agriculture and mining to pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
Technological innovations such as blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and green technologies are transforming African business operations. Blockchain enhances supply chain transparency, AI streamlines quality control, and green technologies drive sustainable production. These advancements enable African SMEs to compete globally, meet compliance requirements, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and contribute to sustainable development.
As engines of innovation and job creation, African SMEs are central to the continent’s economic transformation and the achievement of the SDGs. With the alignment of the Ten Principles, SMEs can advance goals such as poverty reduction, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable industrialization. Their emergence in global markets presents a unique opportunity to drive inclusive growth. Through the right support, these businesses can scale operations, adopt sustainable practices, and access global markets, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire communities.
The Africa Business Forum 2025 underscored the transformative potential of aligning African value chains with global sustainability standards. The Ten Principles and the SDGs provide a clear pathway for African SMEs to enhance competitiveness, streamline compliance, and contribute to sustainable development. As Africa rises as a global economic powerhouse, integrating sustainability and technology will be key to unlocking its full potential, paving the way for a future where sustainability and competitiveness coexist and reinforce each other.
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.
The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) flagship event wrapped up on September 26, 2024, in New York, successfully concluding a two-day summit held alongside the UN General Assembly. Themed “Unstoppable Africa: Shaping Global Ambitions for Agenda 2063”, the event attracted over 2,000 leaders, CEOs, investors, policymakers, and innovators, all focused on positioning Africa as a global leader. The Unstoppable Africa 2024 concluded with optimism and a shared commitment to harness Africa’s potential for global leadership. With concrete plans and partnerships now established, the initiative is poised to continue its momentum toward a future where Africa leads on the global stage. Watch Here
The Global Compact Network Ghana recently hosted the 2024 UN Global Compact Africa Regional Meetings in Accra at Alisa Hotel from October 30th to November 1st. This momentous event brought together ten African Country Networks, including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, and four Expansion Networks, to accelerate progress toward shared sustainable goals. The three-day gathering united Country Networks across Africa, fostering collaboration and shared strategies to drive sustainable business practices. The UN Resident Coordinator, Ghana, Mr. Charles Abani, and Ms. Lesley Arthur, the Country Network Ghana Board Chair, delivered opening remarks and a welcome address, respectively. Throughout the event, participants discussed various topics, including the Africa Strategy, growth in Africa, localization of global programs, brand ambassadorship, and impact stories. The meetings also featured team-building exercises, allowing teams to collaborate and learn from each other. Board Chair, Ms. Lesley Arthur, emphasized the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating, "Our work as Country Networks is to ensure that in the nearest future, we are able to ensure that these SDGs are achieved and we are able to ensure that we lead the private sector and direct the private sector on the how, when and best ways to achieve these Sustainable Development Goals." The event concluded with a renewed commitment to driving sustainable business practices and achieving the SDGs across Africa.
