Investors and financial markets demand ESG-ESE

EZULWINI - Investors and financial markets are increasingly demanding a persuasive environmental, social and governance (ESG) plan and a part to net zero carbon emissions.

This was mentioned by Eswatini StocN Exchange (ESE) Chief Executive Officer Ncamiso Ntshalintshali on Friday. Ntshalint shali said the global economic transition to an eTuitable, net ]ero and sustainable future was both one of the most pressing challenges. +e said with Africa being the new business frontier, Eswatini needed to claim its staNe in these ever expanding opportunities.

Tools

³One of the most important tools that com panies and investors utilise to assess sustain ability performance is an ESG score,” he said.

The CEO also mentioned that an ESG score was typically a numerical measure of how a company was perceived to be performing on a wide range of ESG issues criteria.

+e said it was against this bacNground that

ESE had embraced these ESG standards and in turn challenged its listed entities and staNe holders to rise to these ideals.

Ntshalintshali also mentioned that ESE was awarded an opportunity to Moin other leading exchanges in crafting its own ESG Sustaina bility Guideline.

Engagements

³This exercise would be funded by the Glob al 5eporting Initiative (G5I) together with the African Securities Exchange Association (ASEA), and with support from the Swed ish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA),” he said. The CEO added that ESE leveraged on technological interventions to pursue its goal by hosting virtual engage ments. +e said this culminated in engaging a consultant, SNG Grant Thornton Eswatini (SNG) in August .

SNG¶s role was to assist ESE in drafting its guideline, aligning it with international standards and principles, yet cognisant of the Eswatini context. +e added that the resulting document had been presented to ESE staNe holders and approved by the ESE Board.