DI East Africa’s Post

ESG is a critical component of Sustainable development; a process that aims to satisfy the economic, social, and environmental needs of the present without compromising future generations' ability to meet their own needs.Its a wake up call for all Corporates to embrace ESG practices within business operations.

Thrilled to have participated in the Training of Trainers on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, organized by DI East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 22-25, 2024. This capacity-building session brought together Business Membership Organizations (BMOs) from across Africa, with a shared goal to empower companies to implement sustainable and responsible business practices. The training underscored the importance of integrating ESG considerations to foster growth and resilience in today’s evolving business landscape. As a Policy Specialist (Industry) from the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) I am obliged and excited to use the insights gained from this session to make a real difference in Tanzania’s business landscape and leverage the obtained ESG knowledge to: ·      Organizing workshops and knowledge-sharing events to educate our members on the importance of ESG principles and how these can boost both business sustainability and social responsibility. ·      Using frameworks learned during the training to create resources and tools tailored to the specific needs of Tanzanian industries, enabling our members to implement ESG practices more easily and effectively. ·      Engaging with Government and regulatory bodies to encourage policies that incentivize ESG practices, fostering a more sustainable and competitive business environment. ·      Develop a network of ESG champions across different sectors, who will be instrumental in driving the change from within their organizations. The end goal is to ensure that sustainable business practices in the Tanzania becomes a norm where each industrialists automatically adheres to. Once again I would like to extend my huge appreciation to the DI East Africa for facilitating this impactful session as we work toward supporting Tanzanian industries in this crucial area. #ESG #Sustainability #BusinessGrowth #BMO #CTI #DI East Africa #Training#Enock Nyachae#Klaus Lehn Christensen#Albert Rukeisa#Gloria Komba#Global Compact Network Tanzania#George Selestine Balayiyaka

EMBRACING CSR AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR A BETTER NIGERIA BY 2025 As Nigeria approaches 2025, the imperative for businesses to embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability becomes increasingly clear. The country faces a myriad of social challenges, including poverty, inadequate healthcare, and environmental degradation. By integrating CSR into their core strategies, businesses can play a pivotal role in addressing these issues, fostering a more equitable society while enhancing their own reputations and customer loyalty. Moreover, sustainable practices can lead to significant economic benefits for companies operating in Nigeria. By investing in environmentally friendly technologies and practices, businesses can reduce operational costs, attract environmentally conscious consumers, and comply with regulatory requirements. This shift not only mitigates risks associated with environmental degradation but also positions companies as leaders in a market that values sustainability, ultimately driving long-term profitability. Finally, embracing CSR and sustainability can strengthen community relations and build trust among stakeholders. Companies that actively engage in social initiatives demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of the communities in which they operate. This approach not only helps in solving pressing social problems but also cultivates a positive corporate image, fostering loyalty and support from customers and partners alike. By 2025, businesses that prioritize these values will not only contribute to Nigeria’s development but also secure their own competitive advantage in an evolving marketplace. #sustainability #CSR #Nigeria 2025 WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable DevelopmentSustainabilityWBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)Lagos Business School Sustainability CentrePwC Sustainability Academy Society for Corporate Governance NigeriaCorporate Sustainability Leadership Program photo credit: Internet

Every time I sit down with a business—whether it's a startup or a multinational—I feel the same energy: a deep hunger for sustainability. Across Africa and the world, companies are eager to run in a way that’s both profitable and responsible. They want to adopt sustainable models that ensure a positive impact on people and the planet. But here’s the challenge: there’s a significant gap in knowledge and resources. Sustainability isn't an easy concept to grasp, nor is it cheap to implement. It’s a journey that requires more than just good intentions. Yet, the importance of ethical business practices is undeniable—it’s about securing the future of our communities and the health of the only planet we call home. 🌍 That’s why I find so much joy in helping businesses navigate this journey, especially when it comes to creating equitable supply chains. These chains often leave the smallholder producers—the backbone of our food systems—at a disadvantage. But when we build fairer systems, everyone thrives. Being part of the American Chamber of Commerce, Kenya task force has been an incredible opportunity to drive this agenda forward in the manufacturing industry in Kenya and across Africa. Working alongside great minds like Mumbi Keega, John Kalibo and Susan Maingi, we’re helping to create real, lasting change. I have a dream: that one day, Africa will be able to fully sustain itself—economically, socially, and environmentally. And every step toward sustainable business is a step toward that future. #Sustainability #EthicalBusiness #FutureOfAfrica

Following INC-4, the second webinar in a series co-hosted by the Financing Coordination Group will cover mobilizing resources for the international legally binding instrument (ILBI) objectives and aligning financial flows to help Member States and other stakeholders understand the necessary financial mechanisms to tackle plastic pollution effectively. Participants will come away with:  ◾ The different financial mechanisms that may be considered - new, existing, and hybrid mechanisms. ◾ The obligations or agreed instrumental costs associated with the ILBI that need to be financed. ◾ Activities that may not be supported by the financial mechanism and the reasons behind this. ◾ Potential funding gaps for Member States to consider when implementing the ILBI to tackle plastic pollution, and strategies to address them. Speaker line-up: ◾ Oliver Boachie (The Government of Ghana) ◾ Peter BORKEY (OECD - OCDE) ◾ Tao Wang (The World Bank) ◾ Hibaa Ismael (UN Environment Programme, The Government of Djibouti)  ◾ Hugo Schally (European Commission) ◾ Khadija Khan (Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking - SGCIB) ◾ Leah Pedersen (Convergence Blended Finance) ◾ Rofi Alhanif (The Government of Indonesia) ◾ Rolph Payet (The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions) ◾ Moderator: Liz Nichols, PhD (U.S. Department of State) ◾ Session host: Michael Sadowski (The Circulate Initiative) Register here: https://lnkd.in/gHNYm5vc View the agenda: https://lnkd.in/gQqMAQRv Co-hosted by: The Circulate Initiative, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), The World Bank, and the World Economic Forum. #plasticpollution #financing #investment #inc #environmentalfinance #plasticwaste #sustainablefinance #circulareconomy #policy

Would you like to learn more about financial mechanisms, supported obligations and potential funding gaps for an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution? 💰♻️   Then join today’s webinar at 3 pm CEST organized by The Circulate Initiative, United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), The World Bank, and the World Economic Forum!   Please find more information on the webinar and the registration in the post below! ⬇️

As the business case becomes increasingly evident, the adoption of sustainable business practices in 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 is steadily gaining traction. This is driven by two key factors: increasing stakeholder demand and evolving regulations. Among stakeholders, 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 and 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 play the most significant roles in pushing for these changes. Recently, I facilitated a two-day #ESG readiness workshop in the vibrant city of Dar es Salaam. The event was a platform for exchanging invaluable insights and sharing inspiring case studies from various companies, who are members of Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI). During a conversation with Sixtus Kamanda of ICRA RATING, a Tanzanian rating agency, he highlighted that investors are increasingly prioritizing ESG metrics when selecting businesses and projects for investment. On the regulatory front, beyond the upcoming #EU ESG regulations, Tanzania's 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 now requires financial institutions to report on #sustainability. It will be fascinating to observe how swiftly the market adapts to these shifts. The progress so far looks promising. #ESGinTZ #Sustainability

𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝘇𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 The concept of #ESG is gaining significant traction in Tanzania, fostering a shift toward more sustainable and responsible business practices. Industry leaders, manufacturers, and local producers increasingly recognize responsible business principles as vital to development. This aligns with findings from a Danish Industry ESG readiness study, which revealed that 𝟵𝟰% 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. Last week, the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) hosted a two-day ESG Readiness Workshop, supported by DI East Africa. Participants attributed the growing emphasis on ESG to increasing investor demands and the emergence of regulations requiring companies to disclose their impacts and adopt sustainable practices. This observation mirrors the DI study's results, which found that 𝟳𝟭% 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. The workshop attracted representatives from businesses of all sizes who shared insights into their efforts to reduce environmental impacts, promote social inclusion, and strengthen governance. A notable case was Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL PLC), which has implemented various ESG initiatives across its value chain. According to Siya Mbuya, TBL’s Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Manager, these initiatives are already yielding tangible benefits. In response to natural resource challenges, TBL is promoting responsible water consumption while supporting community access to clean and safe water. The company also addresses waste management through sustainable packaging solutions where 99% of their bottles are returnable, and ensures social justice and inclusion by engaging employees and stakeholders across its operations. TBL continuously monitors its value chain to assess progress, identify risks and opportunities, and maintain stakeholder engagement. The global challenges of today demand a concerted, collective effort to build resilient, inclusive, and forward-thinking markets. According to Isack Msungu of CTI, there’s a critical need for enhanced capacity-building initiatives across East Africa. Despite growing momentum, awareness of ESG principles remains low, with 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝟭𝟱% 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗜 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁. This underscores the importance of targeted efforts to bridge the knowledge gap and support businesses in integrating sustainability into their operations. #ESGReadiness #ESGinTanzania #ESGRegulations Gloria Komba Enock Nyachae

#ESG #data! #TanzanianPerspective. We need more contextualized data out there. This is from Association of Tanzania Employers ATE 2024 Study on Tanzania's ESG State of Play found out that (paraphrased findings): 1. There is limited and fragmented awareness / understanding of ESG across firms in Tanzania 2. Unpacked into E, Sand G there is better understanding amongst stakeholders of the issues and concepts than when a consolidated framing of ESG is offered 3. There is a marked difference between understanding and practice between national (local) vs multinational (global) firms, with multinational firms leading the way 4. Larger sized companies tend to have embraced ESG more than MSMEs 5. ESG practices / compliance seems to impact some sectors more than others e.g. agriculture, extractives, financial/banking, tourism and manufacturing 6. Presence of Regulations catalyzes ESG compliance 7. A sustainability mindset shift/culture change is needed to embrace ESG beyond compliance 8. In the private sector, ESG is considered an ‘additional cost’ to businesses esp. in view of mounting statutory regulatory requirements  #Tanzania #SustainableAfrica

We had an enlightening session at the UMS Ignite event on August 2nd, focused on the crucial role of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices for businesses in Uganda. Navigating the ESG Landscape in Uganda. My key takeaways: 1. Start at Home: ESG isn't just a corporate mandate; it begins with each of us. Simple actions like reusing, recycling and reducing waste in our daily lives can make a big difference. 2. Corporate Commitment: Integrating ESG into business strategies is essential. As Cathy Adengo highlighted, the world's top ten most profitable companies have successfully incorporated ESG principles into their core operations, ensuring ethical practices and long-term sustainability. 3. Collective Action: Initiatives like the “Taasa Obutonde” campaign, which focuses on tree planting, demonstrate the power of community efforts. We need financial and marketing support to drive such impactful projects. 4. Marketing as a Driver: Marketing plays a key role in driving ESG initiatives by influencing public perception, shaping narratives and promoting sustainable practices. Effective marketing strategies can galvanise support, attract partnerships and amplify the impact of ESG efforts. A heartfelt thanks to our insightful speakers Dison B. Okumu, Cathy Adengo, CPA Dr. James Okello Onyon and moderator Peter Igaga for sharing their expertise and vision. Your contributions are paving the way for a sustainable future in Uganda. Let's embrace our responsibility to protect our environment. As Dison B. Okumu wisely stated, “Everything we see around us is a loan for our children. It's our responsibility to conserve it for the future.” #ESG #Sustainability #UMSIgnite #Marketing #EnvironmentalConservation