A Key Meeting for the African Continent and Tunisia: The Launch of the First-Ever "AFRICAN ESG SUMMIT"

A highly anticipated event for entrepreneurs, educators, and students alike, the "AFRICAN ESG SUMMIT" kicked off on May 9th, marking a significant milestone for Tunisia and the African continent. Organized by Managers, this unprecedented summit aims to propel Tunisia to the top of the sustainable development rankings, while equipping Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) with vital economic resources.

Clear Objective: Encouraging Tunisian Businesses to Embrace Multidimensional Strategies

The goal is clear: to encourage Tunisian businesses to adopt multidimensional strategies that prioritize sustainability. This involves helping SMEs integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with a focus on meeting the requirements for ESG 1000 recognition. The idea is to establish a common language around ESG in Africa.

The Growing Importance of ESG Criteria

The importance of ESG criteria is undeniable today. Tunisian businesses and financial institutions are increasingly turning to these criteria to inform their strategic decisions, marking a shift towards a more environmentally conscious, socially responsible, and governance-driven approach. This evolution goes beyond mere economic profitability.

What is ESG?

For the uninitiated, ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. These non-financial criteria are used by investors to evaluate the sustainability of an investment or business. Environmental factors examine actions to reduce pollution, social factors focus on stakeholder relationships, and governance factors assess a company's management.

Expert Insights: Stephan Géradon, CEO of Domino Brand

Stephan Géradon, CEO of Domino Brand, is a Belgian expat who has lived in Tunisia for 17 years, with an impressive 35-year career in marketing and communication. During the recent panel "Strategic and Organizational Deployment of ESG," moderated by Sonia Dammak, Director of Communication and CSR at Vivo Energy, Géradon emphasized the imperative of ESG integration at the highest levels of business. He was joined by Hanen Fkih, ESG strategy expert and member of the Atuge Board, and Antoine Grondin, CSR/ESG Manager at Kelvion.

The Imperative of ESG Integration

Géradon, a seasoned business strategist, stressed the need for companies to integrate ESG principles from the outset, highlighting the legal constraints faced by European companies, including the CSRD directive, which requires extra-financial reporting under penalty of heavy fines and even imprisonment. He also highlighted the numerous benefits of ESG adoption, including enhanced competitiveness, innovation, employer branding, and profitability.