Happy Africa Day 2023- How far has #Africa come in embracing #esg?

So apt was the theme in this year’s 60th commemoration of Africa Day ‘Our Africa, Our Future’. We celebrate this milestone of a united and beautiful content with pride and pan-africanism, but are we really ensuring that the way in which we live today is purposeful and making for a #sustainablefuture?

We have been late to the #esg party but we are here all the same. This party benefits us and our generations to come; after all, we have no other home or planet to run to.

So why the slow dance and tip-toe around the #sustainability conversation?

We certainly are blessed with a beautiful continent, rich in bio-diversity and natural resources and certainly, better weather. The #environmentalresponsibility challenge is then definitely in our interest to tackle and quickly get on #climatechange interventions, preserve the natural resources we have and as well fight pollution and emissions and manage our waste and use alternative energy sources. These are low hanging fruits that a change of mindset and individual mindfulness right from the home environment and community that we can make progress.

Looking at our #social construct, indeed we have been dealt a hard hand, but we cannot remain stuck in the injustices of yesteryear. Our power in #community and how we overcame past challenges of colonisation, our progress in lowering our poverty, disease and hunger; putting in a legal framework combating social evils (murder, violence, employment injustices, human rights, protection of children and harmful cultural practices etc) and the growing social consciousness of the african consumer demanding better products and services is definitely progress. We still have ways to go in taking care of our communities basic needs in order to focus on these challenges, but how about tackling the challenges and the needs shall complimentarily be taken care of?

Finally the #governance question. That one is squarely upon us. We clamor for our sovereignty and (African) pride, but are we self governing as individuals? It starts from us, the decisions we make, the values we hold as families and communities, the organisations we build and who we build them with. Are we willing to make the bold decision to do the right things in the right way? To diversify, be inclusive and equitable on our choice of Board Members? Are we open to put others and our organisations interests before our own in order to build generational businesses that can uplift Africa? Are we willing to be open and transparent to doing better, to reporting honestly, to act ethically? Are we ready for #esgintegration in our companies, in our industries, in our governments in order to building an integrated prosperous and peaceful Africa #theafricawewant?

We at Akira Consult remain hopeful pan-africans, as champions of #sustainablebusiness, we look forward to starting the Africa conversation with you. Lets talk.. Enquiries@akiraconsult.ke