By The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) met with the British High Commission and a British ESG advisory firm on Aug. 20 to discuss strengthening environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices among Kenyan enterprises, according to a KEPSA statement.
The meeting, facilitated by the British High Commission in Nairobi, brought together KEPSA and ESG Management Services, a British consultancy specializing in ESG advisory, sustainability, risk management and compliance work, the statement said.
Discussions centered on how ESG standards could help Kenyan companies improve governance, become more competitive, gain access to sustainable finance and strengthen their position in international markets, KEPSA said.
ESG Management Services was represented by Cynthia Wanjohi, the firm’s director for partnerships and trade; Igoche Ikwue, an ESG consultant and business mentor; and Francisco Toju Da’Silva, described by the firm as an ESG expert and thought leader on Africa.
The firm works with governments, businesses and investors to build ESG frameworks and support adoption of sustainable business practices.
KEPSA’s delegation was led by Dr. Jackson Koimbori, head of KEPSA Consult and senior circular economy and climate change coordinator. He was joined by Stephen Maina, programme manager for youth and jobs; Ryan Karuga, a legal and policy expert; and Jeremiah Kiplagat, a policy and economic expert.
KEPSA is Kenya’s apex private sector body, representing businesses and associations across the country. The organization engages with government and international partners on policy issues affecting the business environment, including trade, enterprise development and sustainability.
KEPSA Consult, the unit that led the alliance’s delegation at the meeting, focuses on programmes related to circular economy, climate change and enterprise support.
A central theme of the talks was positioning ESG as a strategic business opportunity rather than solely a compliance obligation, KEPSA said.
Participants discussed how ESG assessment, reporting, capacity building and certification could help enterprises manage risk, improve investment readiness and access sustainable capital.
The discussion also addressed challenges small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in navigating varying ESG standards and reporting requirements, underscoring the need for practical and locally relevant ESG solutions.
Stronger ESG performance could also help Kenyan enterprises meet the sustainability expectations of investors, financiers and global value chains as they seek entry into international markets, the statement said.
Youth employment and enterprise development featured prominently in the discussions.
Participants examined the relationship between ESG adoption, stronger enterprises and sustainable job creation, noting that support for young people should extend beyond formal employment to include entrepreneurship and opportunities within SMEs, the statement said.
Building the capacity of youth-led and youth-serving enterprises to adopt ESG practices could improve their competitiveness and their access to markets and finance, KEPSA said.
The parties discussed potential future collaboration linking ESG capacity building with youth employment initiatives, aiming to help young entrepreneurs build more resilient and sustainable businesses capable of generating further employment, according to the statement.
KEPSA said the engagement marked an early step in exploring a partnership between the alliance, the British High Commission and ESG Management Services.
Areas identified for possible future collaboration include ESG awareness and capacity building, enterprise assessment, certification, sustainable finance, technical assistance, youth enterprise development and international market readiness, the statement said.
KEPSA said the goal is to develop practical ESG solutions that strengthen Kenyan businesses, improve their access to sustainable investment and enhance competitiveness in domestic and global markets.
ESG Management Services is a British advisory firm that provides consulting on environmental, social and governance issues, sustainability strategy, risk management and regulatory compliance. The firm says it works with governments, businesses and investors internationally to help organizations adopt ESG frameworks.
The talks come as businesses across Africa face growing pressure from investors and international partners to demonstrate ESG compliance, particularly as they seek financing from global markets and participation in international supply chains.
Kenya has positioned itself as a regional hub for sustainable finance initiatives in East Africa, with government and private sector bodies increasingly engaging with international partners on ESG-related standards and capacity building.
