Digital innovation to support African SMEs
COVID-19 may significantly hinder economic and social development across Africa. If the continent is to recover, then micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs will be the engine of growth. Local businesses will provide livelihoods for millions of people and goods and services to a growing consumer base. At the heart of this business-led recovery will be digital technology; […]
Developing Skills and Quality Jobs for Young People
The creation of jobs for young people may now be an even greater challenge than before the pandemic hit, with competition for positions being all the more fierce once economic activity resumes. In light of the enormous shock that COVID-19 has had on our economic system, how can we think differently about what is required […]
Masterclass Series: Gender Equality for Business
When it comes to the workplace progress in reaching parity has stalled. The World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Gender Gap report found that at the current rate, it will take another 100 years to close the overall gender gap and 257 years to bring about parity in the workplace; in the 2019 report this number […]
Integrated Corporate Governance: Six Leadership Priorities For Boards Beyond The Crisis
The Covid-19 crisis is accelerating a shift toward a more integrated approach to corporate governance that has been gathering force for some time. The pandemic has put people’s lives, livelihoods and learning at the center of the public policy and business response in almost every country and industry sector. It has dramatically underscored the need […]
Scalability, Sustainability and Participation in Value Chain
This is the second in a three part series, published in the lead up to Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers Forum online events 2020. Join the conversation exploring innovative ideas and tangible solutions for financing young entrepreneurs. Supporting youth-led enterprises is good for business and vital for inclusive economic growth. According to the World Bank, SMEs represent […]
Why Supporting Businesses and Communities Through Mobile Technology is Vital to Combat COVID-19 in informal settlements.
COVID-19 has increased the urgency for reliable, accessible and regular health information, and forced a shift to remote community engagement and greater focus on local-led responses. Our experience in Kenya shows that capacity building and mobilisation of local informal businesses through digital technology can empower high-risk communities with knowledge to combat COVID-19 and reduce financial […]
Finding Innovative Ideas and Tangible Solutions for Financing Young Entrepreneurs
This is the first in a three part series, published in the lead up to Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers Forum online events 2020. To join the conversation exploring innovative ideas and tangible solutions for financing young entrepreneurs – the live event will take place on 30 July 2020. Please click here to register. Globally, more than […]
The Legislative Framework We Need to Protect Workers Across Supply Chains
The ITUC report, ‘Towards mandatory due diligence in global supply chains’, shows that while all governments need to bring in mandatory human rights’ due diligence legislation, EU-wide legislation and a UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights are important steps to regulate the behaviour of companies with regard to their entire operations and activities globally. […]
One Key to Getting People Back to Work? Childcare
Instead of finding support, many people have discovered deep fault lines in access to social services, including childcare. The childcare system has been deeply affected, with childcare centers around the world closed to protect children and workers. A survey in South Africa reveals that 68 percent of childcare center owners are concerned that they will […]
Black Lives Matter Series: Views from the Business Fights Poverty Community – Olu Olanrewaju
BFP: Please introduce yourself? OO: My name is Olu Olanrewaju. I work in the international affordable housing consultancy space. Assisting Private sector clients, Governments, development finance institutions such as KFW, Dfid, IFC and others in emerging economies to design and implement sustainable housing and urban development solutions. BFP: What is your personal take on the […]
Industries Post-COVID-19: A Gender-Responsive Approach to Global Economic Recovery
What most crises have in common is that they hit the most vulnerable and marginalized populations—among which women are disproportionally represented—the hardest. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, especially those facing multiple forms of discrimination related to poverty, race or disability, is increasingly being documented. As reported in the UN Secretary General’s “Policy […]
Would Workers on Boards Make Corporations More COVID-19 Resilient?
COVID-19 has become the window frame through which we now view so much of our lives. Certainly, high on that list is our work and workplace. For many who are fortunate to be employed and work from home, there have been annoyances and stresses in managing our home life and work life at the same […]
Black Lives Matter Series: Views from the Business Fights Poverty Community – Dr Myriam Sidibe
BFP: Please introduce yourself? MS: My name is Myriam Sidibe, I am from Mali and lived in over 20 countries around the world. From within Unilever, I have spearheaded a movement to change the handwashing behaviours of one billion people, the single biggest hygiene behavior change programme in the world, and conceived and established the […]
Black Lives Matter Series: Views from the Business Fights Poverty Community – Tomisin Fasosin
BFP: Please introduce yourself? TF: My name is Tomisin. I’m a Nigerian-American High School Junior residing in Maryland, USA. I serve in leadership capacities in my school & community, manage a lacrosse team and write poetry and short stories. I also enjoy fashion and activism, and love to speak up about issues like these. […]
Black Lives Matter Series: Views from the Business Fights Poverty Community – Naomi Cameron-Wyatt
BFP: Please introduce yourself. NCM: I am mixed, white British/black Caribbean, in my 30s, working in the cyber security industry and I live in the South East of England with my ten-year-old son. I am very aware of certain privileges awarded to me due to my upbringing in a white family, but equally, I am […]
Black Lives Matter Series: Views from the Business Fights Poverty Community – Dr Tauni Lanier
BFP: Please introduce yourself. TL: I am Dr Tauni Lanier. I work, live and thrive in South London. I am a systems entrepreneur, who facilitates a change to an entire ecosystem by addressing and incorporating all the resources and actors required to move the needle on a variety of social and environmental issues. My expertise […]
Black Lives Matter Series: Views from the Business Fights Poverty Community – Sizakele Marutlulle
BFP: Please introduce yourself? SM: My name is Sizakele Marutlulle. A human cis-woman, who lives a life tainted by historical impediments on account of my skin colour. A sociologist by training and strategist by occupation. I founded and lead Marutlulle + C/o – a Pan-African strategy and ideas lab that unlocks growth so pro-Africa individuals […]
Fighting Our Other Pandemic: Racism
Like you, we have looked on with horror and anger at the events that have been unfolding in the US. The horrific murder of George Floyd, the latest in a sad history of black people being killed by those meant to protect and serve. As the lawyer of the Floyd family put it at yesterday’s […]
Technology and the Workplace: Putting People First
Work is the engine at the center of our economies. Shaping a future of work where people can thrive is essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Over 20 global member companies of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) have collaborated to develop shared business principles aimed at putting people first when it […]
Calling Tech-Focused Ideas to Help Address COVID-19 Learning Emergency
The disruption will be felt long after the immediate crisis has passed and schools reopen and will be particularly serious in low-income countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The evidence shows that disruptions to schooling due to things such as pandemics can cause: continued negative impacts on student enrolment and retention in school […]