CLI Hosts Café Juridique on Startups and ESG

On the 26th of September, the Center for Law and Innovation at Certa Foundation had the honor of hosting Ms Rosalind Kainyah, MBE, for a Café Juridique themed “Understanding sustainability and ESG: Creating and protecting value for startups .” Ms Kainyah, with over 20 years of experience in advising business leaders to align their ESG strategies with core business objectives, drawing inspiration from her sense of justice developed at the young age of 8 in Ghana, shared her journey and profound insights into integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into the African business landscape.

The discussion focused on simplifying sustainability for startups, coordinating ESG plans with corporate goals, and fostering an atmosphere that encourages profitability. A key highlight was her emphasis on common misconceptions, particularly the view of ESG as an additional cost rather than an investment that can enhance productivity. The participants, including startup founders, lawyers, and researchers, were highly engaged, raising questions about how to practically implement ESG strategies in small-scale enterprises and seeking guidance on balancing sustainability with profitability. Ms. Kainyah responded by emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance and adopting a practical approach. 

She underscored that prioritizing sustainability can lead to greater innovation and profitability, affirming that “necessity is the mother of innovation.” Looking ahead, Ms. Kainyah expressed excitement about the potential of startups to drive sustainability across Africa, encouraging leaders to be both creative and practical in developing solutions that address local challenges. Her insights reflected a strong commitment to making ESG an integral part of business in Africa while navigating environmental and social complexities.

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