Côte d'Ivoire Economic Research Highlights

ESG Analysis - Côte d'Ivoire & Beyond

Report: How can West and Central Africa use ESG to boost value-added activities in special economic zones?

As the international community reaches a landmark agreement to protect ocean resources, emerging markets are looking to balance conservation and the exploitation of marine resources. In the first week of March 2023 UN delegates in New York finalised the text of an international treaty outlining the sustainable use of marine resources beyond national jurisdiction. Popularly known as the UN High Seas Treaty, the document is the result of two decades of talks and represents the first international treaty on ocean protection...

Creative climate finance in Africa

While uncertainty abounds in global energy markets amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, African leaders are increasingly looking to the private sector to finance investment in clean energy ahead of the COP27 UN Conference on Climate Change, to be held in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. The COP27 agenda will consider more than 140 projects in Africa, 19 of which are considered ready for implementation and investment, including four in Egypt that carry an estimated cost of $17.4bn but need additional private...

ESG CEO Survey: Is the board room getting greener?

Across government departments, corporate board rooms and management meetings, the implementation of environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies is at the forefront of current planning. It is not just a symbolic tick in the box either. Shareholders and investors are increasingly factoring ESG strategy and trajectory into their decision-making, and consumers are similarly becoming more aware of the fairness and sustainability of the goods they use, the clothes they wear and the services they pay for...

Report: The road to a zero-emission automotive industry in the Middle East and Africa

Automotive stakeholders are increasingly aware that the business-as-usual scenario that has sustained the industry for more than 100 years is no longer tenable. Regulatory changes and emissions-reduction targets at the national and global level are spurring a pivot to low-carbon and zero-emissions vehicles. This transition requires a period of intense innovation to develop new technologies that make electric vehicles (EVs) appealing, safe, reliable and affordable. Beyond R&D and production, automakers have a role to play in...

Can West Africa lead the way in creating a more sustainable textiles industry?

With textiles and fashion expected to constitute an important post-Covid-19 growth driver for West Africa, stakeholders and key players in the industry are exploring ways to implement sustainable practices and make the sector more environmentally friendly. While one might not instinctively include it among the world’s heaviest polluters, the textile and fashion industry is a key contributor to climate change, accounting for around 10% of global carbon emissions. Indeed, with pre-pandemic annual emissions of 1.2bn tonnes...

Can the global energy transition boost Africa’s Covid-19 recovery?

Covid-19 and the resulting fall in oil prices and demand has helped to accelerate a global shift towards renewable energy. While a number of sub-Saharan African countries continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, the region is expected to benefit from the growing market for minerals central to this shift. The move towards renewable energy technologies is likely to result in a significant drop in global demand for hydrocarbon fuels like coal, oil and gas. In a sign of the impact that the pandemic could have on the energy market...

Report: How can Saudi Arabia finance sustainable industrial development?

Guided by the Vision 2030 strategy for diversification, rapid advancements are being made in Saudi industry, mining, logistics and renewable energy. As the Kingdom works towards reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, corporations and supporting bodies such as the Saudi Industrial Development Fund are taking actions to reduce their carbon footprints and adopt clear environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies to ensure future expansion is sustainable and inclusive. Growth in strategic sectors can have positive...

Report: The financial sector's central role in tackling ESG issues in Mexico

Environmental, social and governance issues are a growing focus in Mexico, particularly social inclusion and transparency, followed by other governance and environmental matters. The financial sector has taken a leadership role in this space by pursuing voluntary initiatives to bolster anti-corruption efforts and encourage the adoption of ethics codes in the sectors in which it operates. It also provided critical support for Banco de México’s programmes to aid small and medium-sized enterprises during the pandemic and facilitate...