ESG and African Developmental Agenda

Africa stands at a pivotal moment where sustainability imperatives intersect with its developmental aspirations. This episode with Olajobi Makinwa. A senior corporate governance executive goes beyond surface-level discussions of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles to interrogate how they can be localized, redefined, and scaled within the African context. We unpack the implications of ESG for infrastructure development, climate adaptation, inclusive finance, governance reform, and industrial transformation. With perspectives from experts, we explore whether ESG is a catalyst for Africa’s leapfrogging or another layer of global compliance — and how the continent can chart a distinctive, pragmatic path that safeguards growth while prioritizing people and planet. In addition, the episode also how  ESG  is not only as a compliance framework but as a field of inquiry that raises fundamental questions: How do global ESG standards align—or conflict—with African socio-political realities? What role does governance play in embedding ESG into developmental planning? And how might indigenous knowledge systems reshape ESG discourses globally? Lastly it unpacks ESG not as a buzzword, but as a critical determinant of Africa’s investment landscape and developmental trajectory

Who Should Listen

–Policy makers and regional bodies: to understand how ESG frameworks can be integrated into African developmental strategies.

–Investors, fund managers, and corporate leaders: seeking to align investment portfolios with Africa’s long-term sustainability priorities.

–Development finance institutions and multilateral organizations: keen on aligning global ESG standards with African realities.

–Academics, researchers, and students: studying governance, sustainability, and economic transformation.

–Civil society, advocacy groups, and media practitioners: engaging in accountability, climate action, and inclusive development narratives.

What Listeners Will Gain

–Strategic clarity on how ESG principles intersect with Africa’s Vision 2063, SDGs, and national development plans.

–Critical insights into how ESG can either unlock capital flows or create barriers for African markets.

–Contextual frameworks for applying ESG in African industries such as energy, agriculture, mining, and digital economy.

–Practical approaches for governments and businesses to balance ESG compliance with growth imperatives.

–Foresight into Africa’s potential to redefine ESG by centering indigenous knowledge systems, equity, and resilience.