Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Africa, and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), has held a webinar, tagged: “Empowering Responsible Investing through Data Metrics and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Temi Popoola, said: “As the sustainable Exchange championing Africa’s growth, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) understands the pivotal role that ESG performance plays in ensuring a company’s long-term sustainability.
“Fuelled by our commitment to foster the growth of long-term sustainable finance and promote the adoption of sustainable business practices among our listed companies, we unveiled the NGX Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines in 2019, working with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
“We have continued our engagement with GRI to promote the adoption of ESG reporting through The NGX Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines.”
Head of Africa, Signatory Relations, Darron Scorgie, shared insights on the value of incorporating ESG data metrics for responsible investing.
He said: “African investors are recognizing that their journey to a sustainable financial system is going to be a little different from developing markets, and are increasingly inching forward by considering investments in sustainable outcomes alongside their objectives for long-term financial returns.”
For investors, ESG metrics is key to look at financial materiality and impact, and to put sustainability expectations and data in the context of emerging markets.
Director, Capital Markets, Dave Reubzaet, spoke on the value of ESG integration for investors and regulators. He said: “For investors, ESG metrics is key to look at financial materiality and impact, and to put sustainability expectations and data in the context of emerging markets.
“In addition, for regulators it is important to align as much as possible with existing sustainability standards, to create a global common language and metrics and to reduce the compliance burden, time and cost.”
The virtual event, which was held on Wednesday, was organised in line with the Exchange’s commitment to foster the growth of long-term sustainable finance in the Nigerian capital market.
This is to help investors, companies, market regulators and practitioners have an opportunity for sharing of experiences and strategies on how investors make sound investment decisions using ESG metrics/data.
Other speakers included CEO, InfraCredit, Chinua Azubike; Head, Investor Relations, Dangote Cement Plc, Temilade Aduroja; and Senior Stewardship Professional, Old Mutual Investment, Nicole Martens, amongst other speakers.
