Business
NECA launches ESG implementation guide for MSMEs
• Urges policies to sustain businesses
The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) on Tuesday launched Africa’s first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Implementation Guide for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The organisation urged the Federal Government to implement policies that promote business sustainability as a foundation for job creation and inclusive economic growth.
The guide was unveiled at the 2026 Nigeria Employers’ Summit in Abuja by the Chairman of the NECA ESG Advisory Board, Mr Femi Jaiyeola.
Jaiyeola described it as a landmark initiative to equip MSMEs with practical tools to compete in an increasingly sustainability-driven global business environment.
He a said ESG had evolved beyond regulatory compliance into a strategic business imperative for attracting investment, improving competitiveness, strengthening resilience and enhancing long-term enterprise value.
“ESG has gone beyond a tick-box exercise to satisfy regulatory requirements. It now provides enormous opportunities for MSMEs and for Nigeria as a country,” he said.
He said the implementation guide comes at a critical period as regulators, financial institutions and international markets increasingly demand sustainable business practices from enterprises of every size.
“The message for MSMEs is very clear. By 2030, ESG reporting is expected to become mandatory in Nigeria. Therefore, the time to prepare is now,” he said.
According to Jaiyeola, the guide provides a practical, step-by-step roadmap to help MSMEs adopt ESG principles progressively while improving access to finance, strengthening business reputation, expanding market opportunities and increasing participation in global value chains.
“This guide is more than a document. It is a practical tool that will help Nigerian MSMEs compete, grow and thrive in a sustainability-driven economy,” he said.
He recalled that NECA, with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), conducted a state-of-the-art ESG assessment in Nigeria, launched in December 2025, which highlighted the need to integrate MSMEs into the country’s sustainability framework because of their strategic role in economic development and job creation.
“What we are launching today is, to the best of our knowledge, the first ESG Implementation Guide specifically designed for MSMEs in Nigeria and across Africa,” he said.
Jaiyeola also disclosed that six NECA officials were undergoing specialised ESG training for SMEs at the International Training Centre of the ILO in Turin, Italy, after which they would train MSMEs across the six geopolitical zones to deepen ESG awareness and implementation.
Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, NECA Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said achieving sustainable economic growth required deliberate policies that enabled businesses to survive and expand, noting that sustainable enterprises were essential for creating decent jobs.
“There must be a business before there are workers. It takes a sustainable business to create jobs. If the business is not sustainable, hardly will you create jobs,” he said.
Oyerinde said government should continue to pursue reforms while ensuring policies strike a balance between business sustainability and workers’ welfare through decent employment, fair remuneration and improved workplace conditions.
“We must consistently create that balance. A business must survive, then a surviving business must create decent jobs, and one component of decent jobs is adequate remuneration,” he said.
He added that NECA would continue engaging government to ensure ongoing reforms addressed the interests of employers, employees and the broader economy.
According to him, participants at the two-day summit recommended more inclusive implementation of reforms, timely execution of industrial policies and practical measures to accelerate growth across productive sectors. He said the summit’s communiqué would be presented to relevant ministries and agencies as a contribution to policy development.
“Our recommendations are not frivolous. They are not antagonistic. They simply show different pathways to achieving the overall economic objectives of this country,” he said.
Commenting on recent reforms, Oyerinde acknowledged that the removal of fuel subsidy had raised business operating costs and reduced consumers’ purchasing power, affecting demand for goods and services.
“As the cost of doing business increases, the cost of goods and services also increases, while disposable income continues to reduce, making it difficult for consumers to buy,” he said.
However, he maintained that the subsidy removal and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange market were necessary reforms that would strengthen the economy over time by eliminating distortions and promoting transparency.
He also commended improvements in airport infrastructure and immigration services, expressing optimism that although the reforms had imposed short-term hardship, they would ultimately create a more sustainable environment for businesses, workers and future investments.
“We have stopped digging the economic hole. We are gradually filling it, and we hope to get to the point where Nigerians will begin to see the full benefits of these reforms,” he said.
By Oluwayanmife Lucas
Axxela Limited, a gas and power portfolio company in sub-Saharan Africa, has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the company’s environmental, social and governance performance across its operations during the year.
The report, themed: “Enabling Access, Deepening Impact”, highlights Axxela’s performance across key metrics and underscores its efforts to expand its infrastructure footprint, deepen stakeholder engagement and strengthen responsible business practices.
In the year under review, Axxela expanded its gas pipeline network by 39km, enhancing connectivity across Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states. The company also recorded zero fatalities and achieved 9.6 million Lost Time Injury (LTI) free man-hours across its operations.
In addition, the firm also strengthened its customer portfolio by connecting new industrial and commercial customers to its network. Other significant milestones include achieving Great Place to Work certification and receiving a Gold Medal rating in the EcoVadis Sustainability Assessment, placing Axxela among the top five per cent of companies assessed globally.
Commenting on the report, Group Chief Executive Officer, Axxela, Moshood Olajide, emphasised that the firm’s 2025 performance reflected the company’s commitment to responsible growth and long-term value creation.
“Expanding domestic gas utilisation remains central to our strategy. Each new customer connection supports cleaner and more efficient energy use, helping industries improve efficiency and reduce reliance on traditionally dirtier fuels. Our growth remains anchored in responsible infrastructure development and long-term value creation. We will continue to support Nigeria’s transition towards a more sustainable gas-powered economy,” he said.
The report also outlines Axxela’s approach to environmental management, including environmental monitoring, operational controls and rehabilitation programmes designed to minimise environmental disturbance and protect biodiversity.
The company maintained environmental compliance registers, conducted annual compliance audits and risk assessments, and carried out quarterly emerging risk scans across its operations and projects.
Axxela’s 2025 Sustainability Report, its ninth consecutive edition, was prepared in line with the core requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and builds on the reporting discipline and frameworks established over previous reporting years. The report highlights the company’s steadfast commitment to transparent disclosure, responsible business practices and long-term value creation, while detailing the progress, priorities and actions shaping its approach to sustainable and responsible growth.
Energy
Asharami Square Fellowship’ll Promote Solutions Journalism for Africa’s Energy Future – Ndisika
- Fellowship submission deadline now November 30, 2026_
By Monireoluwa Lucas
FirstBank has moved to equip small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical strategies to win customers, increase sales and build sustainable businesses as it hosts the third-quarter edition of its SMEConnect Webinar on September 9, 2026.
The webinar, themed “The SME Growth Blueprint: Practical Sales Strategies to Win Customers and Boost Revenue,” is part of FirstBank’s capacity-building initiative aimed at helping entrepreneurs overcome some of the challenges limiting business growth and competitiveness.
The programme, anchored on the bank’s “You First” brand promise, is designed to provide business owners with practical knowledge, market insights and access to financial and advisory solutions tailored to their needs.
Participants are expected to gain insights into strategies for improving brand visibility, attracting and retaining customers, increasing sales conversion and building customer loyalty, with the broader objective of driving sustainable business growth.
The webinar will feature Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Bags Warehouse, Helen Mojisola Ijaola; Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mamalicious Products Nigeria, Onome Gbenga-Adewara; and Group Head, Retail Banking Group, FirstBank, Olusola Ogunsakin.
Head, SME Banking, FirstBank, Helen A. Willie, will host the session, while Team Lead, SME Engagement & Advisory, FirstBank, Olajumoke Moyo-Ladipo, will serve as moderator.
Speaking ahead of the webinar, Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products, FirstBank, Chuma Ezirim, said the ability of SMEs to develop effective sales strategies was critical to converting business opportunities into sustainable revenue.
He stated: “Growth is not accidental; it is driven by the ability of businesses to create value, win customers, and convert opportunities into sustainable revenue.
“At FirstBank, we recognise that many SMEs possess great products and services but often require practical sales strategies to unlock their full potential. This SMEConnect Webinar is designed to bridge that gap by providing insights from successful business leaders who have built and scaled thriving enterprises.Through these initiatives, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to equipping SMEs with the knowledge, capacity, and support needed to accelerate growth, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s economy.”
SMEConnect is part of FirstBank’s broader efforts to support the growth and resilience of SMEs through capacity development, business advisory services and financial solutions.
Axxela expands gas pipeline network across 3 states, showcases strong performance
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Asharami Square Fellowship’ll Promote Solutions Journalism for Africa’s Energy Future – Ndisika
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