Why Sustainability and ESG Must Reflect Local Realities in Africa – Opinion Piece.

In the global push for sustainability, many frameworks and standards are designed with developed economies in mind—places with abundant clean energy, institutional maturity, and relatively diversified economies. Yet, as the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) agenda continues to expand into Africa, it is becoming increasingly clear that a one-size-fits-all model does not work. For ESG to be meaningful and effective, it must be adapted to the unique realities, challenges, and opportunities of each country, company, and continent. Africa, with its rich resources and complex socio-economic landscape, presents a powerful case for contextualized sustainability.

The Case for Context: Why Local Realities Matter

Africa is home to some of the world’s fastest-growing populations and economies, but also some of the most pressing development needs—access to electricity, jobs, infrastructure, and healthcare among them. Asking African nations to abandon coal or mining overnight in the name of ESG is not only impractical; it is unjust. Sustainable development must not ignore the need for development itself.

Take South Africa, for instance. The country relies heavily on coal—over 80% of its electricity comes from coal-fired power stations. While this has clear environmental consequences, the reality is that millions of South Africans depend on coal for energy and livelihoods. A blanket call for divestment from coal without a viable transition strategy risks destabilizing the economy and deepening inequality. ESG strategies in such a context should focus on just transition pathways—supporting renewable energy while retraining coal workers and investing in alternative industries.

Mining and Economic Survival

Similarly, in countries like Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, mining is not just a sector; it is the backbone of the economy. These countries possess vast reserves of copper, cobalt, and other minerals essential for the global green transition (including batteries and electric vehicles). Demanding that they curtail mining in the name of sustainability is contradictory when those very minerals are driving clean energy in the West.

What is needed is a sustainability model that pushes for responsible mining—operations that minimize environmental damage, respect human rights, and contribute to local development. ESG frameworks here should encourage transparency, fair labor practices, and investment in local communities rather than condemning mining altogether.

A More Equitable ESG Framework

The truth is, Africa doesn’t need less ESG—it needs better ESG. ESG that acknowledges:

• The informal economy’s contribution and risks;
• Limited infrastructure and financing capacity;
• The developmental role of natural resource industries;
• And the urgent need for climate resilience, not just mitigation.

Encouragingly, some African companies and governments are starting to craft ESG strategies that align with their local context. Kenya’s energy sector, for instance, is largely powered by renewables—geothermal, hydro, and wind—making its sustainability story very different from that of Nigeria, which still relies on oil. In Ghana, mining companies are beginning to invest in community water projects and education as part of their ESG commitments, showing that it is possible to blend development priorities with sustainability goals.

Moving from Compliance to Value Creation

Ultimately, ESG and sustainability in Africa must move from being compliance-driven checklists imposed by investors, to value-driven strategies rooted in local context. African businesses and governments must be empowered to define what sustainability looks like for them, set realistic targets, and be given access to the tools and financing needed for meaningful change.

The road to a sustainable future must include Africa—not by demanding it leapfrog centuries of development, but by supporting it to climb steadily, responsibly, and inclusively. ESG must be a bridge, not a barrier. And that bridge must be built on the ground, not in the clouds of global boardrooms.

By aligning ESG with Africa’s developmental journey, we don’t just make sustainability possible—we make it relevant and resilient.