Building a Resilient Economy: Private Sector Paves the Way for Sustainable Growth

Key Business Points

• ESG is important for long-term business growth and will help attract investment
• ESG reporting can help attract and keep talent, appeal to impact investors, increase competitiveness
• Start ESG in your business not just for compliance, but to uncover creative solutions

Private sector players say adopting environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles remain key for growth. This was the general feeling during the opening of this year’s Malawi CEO Connect Forum in Blantyre, which brought together business leaders, regulators and policymakers to discuss sustainability and ESG reporting.

Speaking at the forum, Old Mutual’s CEO Priscilla Mateyu (Broad Frame) said ESG implementation should be seen as a tool for uncovering solutions to core business challenges rather than just a compliance checklist. Through ESG initiatives, Mateyu highlighted how companies can address operational issues creatively — such as launching financial inclusion programs to tackle social concerns while also growing their customer base.

"For investors seeking both financial returns and social impact, ESG often checks both boxes," Mateyu explained. "Many clients now request ESG integration — companies only get investment capital if they deliver both returns and measurable impact."

The forum also focused on ESG reporting’s role in talent management. Mateyu noted that young professionals increasingly seek employers with strong ESG commitments. "They will ask these questions, and if the answer is not satisfactory, they may move away," she stated. She emphasized that failure to report ESG progress can hinder efforts to attract top talent and skilled managers.

Beyond talent and investment, ESG adoption was presented as essential for addressing environmental challenges. Mateyu acknowledged that while individual companies feel powerless against larger emitters, collective ESG reporting can build resilience and potentially influence broader change.

In addition, the event also brought to light that in combat against fraud, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) pointed out that most companies, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), lack effective internal controls. Corruption has a huge impact on businesses, leading to financial losses, reduced competitiveness and damaged reputations.

Zikuchitika kuti ESG chachitika chokha — kapena kuti ESG kapena ESG reporting zochitika koma palibe zopitiriza — zimawoneka ngati mphamvu yowononga kwa ena, akangotenga zomwe ziganiza m’manja mmodzi. Ngozi adayankha kuti ESG imafika kwa ena koma ena alibe chifukwa chyothandizana kuti zolowezera zolowa ndi malonda zilimbe bwino — zomwe zimafanana ku investment kapena initial equity.

Kuchokera kumayendedwe adziwenso kuti business achita chitetezo chokhazokha perimetre yake, chifukwa desirability ezi ku menyera, kulowerera ndizolowezera timangi za masite kodi business azikhoza chifukwa zimene zilichonse chifukwa chabwino et? Zizafanana kapene usanage, chitikayanu utsogoleri ndimafikila kuti ESG implementation azikhoza zimene zomwe chifukwa chibwino. ESG by Alex Mfuni

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