Unstoppable Africa 2024: The Solution for a Global Future

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.

Lagos, Nigeria - The Global Compact Network Nigeria recently convened a groundbreaking multistakeholder dialogue on the concept of Living Wage, bringing together businesses, government representatives, and UN agencies, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the UN Global Compact. The event aimed to address the pressing issue of poverty among workers, with 1 in 3 workers worldwide living in poverty. In Nigeria, this issue is particularly pertinent, given the current economic challenges faced by both businesses and workers. The conversation was marked by candid and thought-provoking quotes from participants, including: "In my business, I've already raised salaries three times this year because of inflation." "A happy worker is a productive worker." "Let's acknowledge that poverty is also a political tool." "We need to go beyond declarations and books, and check actuals, especially with vendors and contractors." While there was consensus that raising wages to a living level is beneficial for businesses, as it increases workers' purchasing power and creates new sales opportunities, participants acknowledged that this requires a stable and supportive economic environment. In Nigeria, this means addressing pressing issues such as inflation, foreign exchange, energy, and infrastructure, to sustain the value of wages and reduce operating costs for businesses. The recently established minimum wage of NGN 70,000 was also discussed, with participants emphasizing the need to strike a balance between this new minimum wage and the ability of businesses to pay a living wage, to avoid creating conditions of systematic non-compliance. The Global Compact Network Nigeria's initiative on Living Wage is a crucial step towards promoting decent work and reducing poverty in Nigeria. The Network's efforts, supported by partners and stakeholders, will continue to drive progress towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

The recent COP29 conference was a significant milestone in the journey towards a more sustainable future. The event brought together key stakeholders, including the WTO, ITU, World Bank, Afreximbank, and the UN Global Compact, to discuss the crucial role of trade and investment in climate finance. The conference featured a meeting with Dr. Ngozi Iweala, Director-General of the WTO, and Dr. Okey Oraima, President of Afreximbank, to discuss the importance of designing climate policies that incorporate trade principles, carbon pricing, subsidies, and regulatory policies. The Global Compact Network Nigeria and Global Compact Network South Africa hosted a successful session on blended climate finance, adaptation, and resilience in Africa. This initiative was led by colleagues Tolulope Lewis Tamoka and Dr. Achieng Ojwang. The event also celebrated the Times 100 Global Impact awardees, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to creating a more sustainable world. Awardees included Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Aadith Moorthy, and Vanessa Z. Chan. Furthermore, the Africa Business Leaders Coalition released its annual climate report, highlighting the progress made by CEOs in accelerating climate actions. This report solidifies the work of the UN Global Compact in promoting private-sector leadership in sustainability and climate policies. To read the report click. Here

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