EMPOWERING BUSINESSES: RISK INSIGHTS AND BOTSWANA STOCK EXCHANGE JOINED FORCES TO DRIVE ESG EXCELLENCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 MAY, 2024

Johannesburg, South Africa, Gaborone, Botswana

Risk Insights, a leading data science company specializing in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) analysis, is proud to continue its strategic partnership with the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE), a pivotal institution in the economic landscape of Botswana. Building on the success of their collaboration announced in January 2024, this ongoing partnership reaffirms their shared commitment to advancing ESG standards and promoting sustainable business practices in the region.

On May 24th, 2024, as part of this partnership, an BSE and Risk Insights ESG Roundtable, themed “Leveraging ESG Disclosures for Competitive ESG Ratings and Corporate Sustainability”, showcased the commitment of RI and BSE to promote ESG transparency and sustainability within Botswana's corporate sector. Leveraging Risk Insights' innovative ESG analytics platform, businesses listed on the BSE will gain access to comprehensive ESG assessments and insights tailored to the unique environmental and social landscape of Botswana. The partnership aims to empower businesses to integrate ESG considerations into their decision-making processes, fostering responsible corporate citizenship and contributing to the preservation of Botswana's rich biodiversity.

Leveraging Risk Insights' innovative ESG analytics platform, businesses listed on the BSE gain access to comprehensive ESG assessments and insights tailored to the unique environmental and social landscape of Botswana. Since the inception of the partnership, notable achievements have been reached, including growing corporate subscribers’ base in the country.

The partnership aims to empower businesses to integrate ESG considerations into their decision-making processes, fostering responsible corporate citizenship and contributing to the preservation of Botswana's rich biodiversity. By organizing events, conferences, and workshops, RI and BSE continue to raise awareness and educate stakeholders about the importance of ESG integration and transparency.

Mr Andrey Bogdanov, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Risk Insights, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "We are pleased to partner with the BSE once again to drive positive change and promote sustainable development in Botswana. By leveraging our expertise in ESG analysis, we aim to empower businesses to make informed decisions that not only drive financial performance but also contribute to the preservation of Botswana's natural heritage."

Mr Kopano Bolokwe, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Botswana Stock Exchange, emphasized the importance of the partnership in advancing sustainable business practices, saying, "As BSE, we recognize the critical role of responsible corporate governance and sustainable business practices in driving sustainable economic growth and long-term value creation. Our transformative partnership with Risk Insights underscores our commitment to promoting ESG transparency and empowering businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations. The ESG Roundtable has afforded us the opportunity to promote broader ownership of this initiative by the capital markets practitioners. Our aspirations are to see listed companies, pension funds and asset managers, integrate ESG Data and Analytics, and ESG Ratings into their business and investment management processes in order to fulfill the beneficiaries’ expectations that their investments should contribute to a World and a Botswana worth retiring into."

Together, Risk Insights and the Botswana Stock Exchange are committed to fostering a culture of sustainability and responsible business practices in Botswana. By promoting ESG excellence, the partnership aims to contribute to the preservation of Botswana's unique natural environment and support the country's long-term economic prosperity.

About Botswana Stock Exchange:

The Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) plays a crucial role in mobilizing both domestic and international capital, contributing significantly to the nation's and the region’s economic development. The BSE is a Member of the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), a Partner Exchange of the Sustainable Stock Exchanges (SSE) Initiative, a member of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), a member and Secretariat of the Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges (COSSE), a Recognized Exchange under the UK’s Her Majesty Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and a member of the Association of the National Numbering Agencies (ANNA). The BSE is the sole owner of the Central Securities Depository Company of Botswana Limited (CSDB) which is a member of the World Federation of CSDs (WFC), and a member of the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA). For more information, visit: https://www.bse.co.bw/

About Risk Insights

Risk Insights est. 2009 in South Africa, is the first female-owned data science company specializing in ESG that created the first AI powered ESG rating tools for Africa listed and unlisted companies. These groundbreaking solutions ensure the balanced application of global ESG standards to local realities, providing accurate and relevant assessments of companies listed on major African exchanges. Risk Insights is a member of the World Economic Forum New Champions and had established the World Economic Forum New Champions South Africa Chapter. For more information, visit www.riskinsights.co.za.