NGX, GRI, PRI collaborate to boost awareness on ESG Data Metrics for sustainable investing

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Africa and Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) on Wednesday June 29 organised a webinar tagged “Empowering Responsible Investing through Data Metrics and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Integration”.

Speaking at the event, Temi Popoola, Chief Executive Officer, NGX stated that “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,” he added.

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Sharing insights on the value of incorporating ESG data metrics for responsible investing, Darron Scorgie, Head of Africa, Signatory Relations, noted that “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.

Dave Reubzaet, Director, Capital Markets, shared insights on the value of ESG integration for investors and regulators, stating, “for investors, ESG metrics is key to look at financial materiality and impact, and to put sustainability expectations and data in 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”.

This virtual event was set up in line with the Exchange’s commitment to foster the growth of long-term sustainable finance in the Nigerian capital market in a bid to help investors, companies, market regulators and practitioners by an opportunity for sharing of experiences and strategies on how investors make sound investment decisions using ESG metrics/data. Other speakers at the event include Chinua Azubike, CEO, InfraCredit; Temilade Aduroja, Head of Investor Relations, Dangote Cement Plc, and Nicole Martens, Senior Stewardship Professional, Old Mutual Investment amongst other speakers.