UN Global Compact Boosts Accountability Among Rwandan Businesses Through Communication on Progress Workshop

The UN Global Compact, which supports sustainable business practices globally by encouraging businesses to align with its Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption, established CoP reporting as an accountability mechanism to enable businesses to report annually on their sustainability progress. The CoP is a mandatory requirement for all business participants of the UN Global Compact, and companies that fail to meet this commitment risk being de-listed from the Compact.

Currently, 26 organizations are signatories of the UN Global Compact in Rwanda, with 17 participants from 14 companies attending the CoP workshop in June. The workshop focused on familiarizing Rwandan businesses with the CoP template and supporting them in accessing valuable resources that can help them use the template efficiently to report their sustainability efforts.

The Workshop is of particular significance as the UN Global Compact considers Rwanda an expanding country for its mandate, with this being the first time for the majority of participants to fill out the CoP digital report. Among them, some have started preparing their sustainability reports, while others are wondering how best they can use the CoP template to submit their annual report before the deadline.

The submission period for the mandatory 2025 Communication on Progress (CoP) opens on 1 April 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.

 

The CoP workshop, among other offerings, aims to raise awareness and strengthen the capacity of Rwandan businesses to effectively engage with the UN Global Compact Communication on Progress (CoP) and its available resources, introduce participants to the CoP as the UN Global Compact’s standardized accountability framework, and promote active participation by guiding businesses in navigating and utilizing the CoP platform, including its tools, training modules, and support resources tailored to facilitate meaningful engagement.

 

Dr Hervé Lado, UN Global Compact Africa Regional Head, emphasized that the workshop strengthened companies’ capacity to meet Communication on Progress (CoP) reporting obligations. He clarified that the CoP is a strategic transparency tool, not mere compliance, enabling performance measurement and accountability. Dr Lado urged timely submissions to bolster the initiative’s credibility and showcase responsible business actions, framing the CoP as an opportunity to advance sustainable development.

Marie-Claire Dushimumukiza, UNGC Rwanda Country Manager, commended participants’ practical insights on sustainability reporting. After guiding them through the CoP template and resources, she stressed the importance of accuracy and deadlines while reaffirming her ongoing support.

Participants highlighted gaining practical tools and peer insights, recognizing transparent reporting’s role in building trust, measuring impact, and aligning strategies with the Ten Principles for long-term value creation.