The Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi (SAN), has urged leaders across government, business and development sectors in Africa to speed up measurable progress toward accountable and sustainable supply chains in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Olawuyi, who also serves as the global vice chair of the International Law Association, gave the charge last week, Thursday, in Nairobi, Kenya, during his keynote address at the 2nd Edition of the East and Horn of Africa Business and Human Rights Dialogue.
The forum, convened by DanChurchAid in partnership with the United Nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and other regional partners, brought together leaders from East Africa, development experts, business executives, civil society actors and academics to examine ways of promoting responsible investment across key economic sectors.
The dialogue, themed “Beyond Compliance: Strengthening Accountable and Rights-Centred Supply Chains in East and Horn of Africa”, also featured speakers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Development Programme, UN Global Compact, UNICEF, the African Union and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights Network of National African Human Rights Institutions, among others.
Olawuyi, who issued a statement on Monday, on his keynote address, delivered in Kenya, said African businesses must go beyond policy awareness and begin to show real implementation by embedding human rights due diligence into their supply chains, investment decisions and procurement practices.
He warned that companies that fail to adapt to the global shift toward rights-based business standards risk being left behind.
“With increased adoption of rights-based legislation across the world, including the European Union’s Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, it is crystal clear that African businesses that fail to respond risk being left behind in a rapidly changing rights-based global economy,” he said.
He noted that Africa was attracting growing investment in critical minerals, infrastructure, agribusiness and green technologies, adding that such growth must not come at the expense of communities or workers.
“Africa is rising as the hub for new investments in critical minerals, infrastructure, agribusiness and green technologies,” Olawuyi said.
At the same time, he said local communities, Indigenous groups and marginalised stakeholders want development that places environmental, social and governance standards at the centre of supply chains.
He said, “No one wants tea, coffee or even critical minerals sourced from exploitative value chains. So, this is not only about compliance, but also about responding to growing consumer demand for green and responsibly sourced products.
“We therefore call on all States and businesses across the continent to step up their commitment to green and sustainable growth, a development approach that delivers measurable economic growth that is both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.”
Olawuyi commended Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia and Ghana for adopting National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, but noted that governments must accelerate implementation and turn commitments into tangible progress.
He also stressed the need for stronger knowledge sharing and innovation, saying technology and digital platforms could help track, monitor, report and address human rights risks across supply chains.
The UN expert called on states and businesses to increase financial and technical support for youth innovators, digital entrepreneurs, higher education institutions, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations working to promote ethical and rights-based investment.
According to him, such support is vital to dismantling workplace inequality and advancing sustainable development across the continent.
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