November 26–27, 2025 | Nairobi, Kenya

The Horn Economic and Social Policy Institute (HESPI) successfully participated at the Environmental, Social, and Governance and Climate Africa Summit 2025, held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 26–27 November 2025. The Summit convened leading policymakers, private sector leaders, development partners, academics, and sustainability experts to advance Africa’s climate resilience, responsible investment, and sustainable finance agenda.

As Africa faces the key challenges of addressing sustainable economic development and climate change adaptation and resilience, the Summit was aimed at providing a platform to align public and private sector efforts in promoting sustainable finance and durable solutions that can embed sustainability in ESG in effective policies and decision making.

The thematic areas discussed in the first day focused on ESG and sustainability: Market size and trend in Africa, ESG sustainable Investment and Climate Finance as well as shaping the future of sustainable finance in the Continent. In the second day, the thematic areas covered navigating ESG compliance and regulatory landscape; and served as a catalyst for transforming businesses and communities towards environmental stewardship, social wellbeing and good governance.

The in-depth discussions among the participants covered ESG investment principles, the growing importance of financial markets and the relevance of integrating ESG factors in their own investment decision-making processes across their various industries and asset classes. They also addressed the challenges faced by investors, including standardization of ESG metrics, data quality issues, and measuring the impact of ESG initiatives and exploring innovative ESG investment practices such as impact investing, thematic investing, and shareholder engagement strategies. Also discussed in detail were topics and insights on the future directions of ESG investing as a way forward by incorporating regulatory developments, evolving investor preferences, and the role of technology in advancing ESG integration.

The remarks of the HESPI Participants focused on the need for augmenting adequate financing of ESG sustainability through enhancing public investments, leveraging private funding from diverse sources, and increasing domestic mobilization of assured financing from within the continent’s own resources instead of outward looking. In addition, the importance of investing in ESG sustainability through strengthened prevention, preparedness and building essential infrastructure for climate adaptation and protection was underscored, instead of reactive ex-post financing of disasters.