Risk Insights ESG GPS Sustainable Newsletter
DEAR VALUED RISK INSIGHTS™/ ESG GPS™ SUBSCRIBER,
Welcome to the September edition of the Risk Insights | ESG GPS Newsletter!
We are proud to share the newest updates from our journey at the forefront of ESG and sustainability across Africa. This edition highlights the milestones, insights, and partnerships shaping the continent’s sustainable finance landscape.
At Risk Insights, we remain committed to “Pioneering ESG, Powering Africa’s Tomorrow.” Through innovation, collaboration, and data-driven intelligence, we continue to empower businesses, investors, and stakeholders to build a transparent, resilient, and sustainable future.
Featured Thought Leadership
This month, Risk Insights published three powerful pieces that together map the challenges and opportunities shaping Africa’s ESG and leadership landscape.
- The Fracture of Leadership: Why the World is Breaking Apart — A call to confront the global crisis of leadership, where moral neutrality fuels injustice, and to reimagine leadership rooted in dignity and accountability. Full Article: https://medium.com/@esggpssa/the-fracture-of-leadership-why-the-world-is-breaking-apart-5ce8f522b5b9
- South Africa’s ESG Data — Building an Operating System of the Future — Using ESG GPS data, this piece highlights disclosure gaps among JSE-listed firms and argues for ESG to become the “operating system” of markets, moving beyond fragmented reporting. Full Article: https://medium.com/@esggpssa/south-africas-esg-data-building-an-operating-system-of-the-future-430988439ef1
- Neo-colonialism and ESG: Why Africa Must Move Beyond Shareholder Value — Challenges the idea that ESG is a western imposition, showing instead how African-led ESG data and disclosure are key to sovereignty, competitiveness, and attracting global capital. Full Article: https://medium.com/@esggpssa/neo-colonialism-and-esg-why-africa-must-move-beyond-shareholder-value-02916f61fcab
Together, these short essays create a clear progression: leadership must be revitalized, ESG must serve as core infrastructure, and Africa must chart its own path to sustainability.
ESG Matters With Risk Insights
In this powerful episode, Anushka Bogdanov calls for humanity and justice – Free Palestine – while unpacking the critical intersection of governance, sustainability, and human dignity in today’s fractured world.
Building on her recent thought pieces, “From Apartheid to ESG Leadership: Why the JSE Must Turn Symbolism into Substance” and “Governance in a Hard-Edged World”, Anushka explains why ESG is not a slogan but the true operating system of markets.
🔑 Key themes explored:
- Africa’s Scope 3 advantage in the global net zero transition
- How disclosure gaps and conflicts of interest erode trust and block access to capital
- Multipolar risks – from sanctions snapbacks to disinformation campaigns – that every ESG risk register must include
- The geopolitical realignment of the Global South, and lessons for Africa’s resilience and leadership
👉 This episode is both a call to conscience and a roadmap for action, urging us to replace symbolism with substance and recognize ESG as the control system for just, sustainable markets.
📺 Watch here: YouTube Episode Link
Risk Insights at Another G20 Event:
YEA Summit with INSEAD Alumni Association South Africa
Risk Insights was proud to speak on Sustainability and Neocolonialism at the INSEAD Alumni Association South Africa (IAASA) partnership with Brand South Africa at the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (YEA) Summit.
This collaboration marks an important step in showcasing Africa’s innovation, resilience, and leadership on the global stage. The Summit brought together young entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business leaders from G20 nations to drive inclusive growth, sustainability, and transformative opportunities for the future.
As part of the IAASA–Brand SA partnership, Risk Insights contributed its expertise in ESG data science, strategic risk, AI-enabled sustainability solutions, Governance and Neocolonialism.
Through this global platform, Risk Insights elevated the conversation around ESG integration, climate resilience, and the role of technology in shaping sustainable economies — ensuring that Africa’s voice is not only heard but recognized as a leader in driving global progress.
We look forward to continue engaging with global peers and advancing meaningful partnerships that power Africa’s tomorrow as part of the G20 agenda.
Risk Insights at the B20 Recommendations Handover Event
Risk Insights, represented by Andrey and Anushka Bogdanov, were honoured to participate in the B20 Recommendations Handover Event — a milestone gathering of global business leaders shaping the future of sustainable growth.
Read the paper here: https://www.b20southafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/B20-Energy-Mix-Just-Transition.pdf
As active contributors to the Energy Mix & Just Transition Task Force, Risk Insights played a role in presenting transformative solutions to the G20 Presidency. This engagement underscored our commitment to advancing Africa’s voice in global sustainability dialogues and ensuring that just, inclusive, and forward-looking policies remain at the heart of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Our participation reflects Risk Insights’ mission: to provide Africa-centric ESG intelligence that empowers businesses, informs policymakers, and drives resilience. Moments like these remind us of the importance of collaboration between private sector leaders and global institutions in addressing shared challenges — from energy security to equitable climate transitions.
Risk Insights Presents at Global Capacity Building Coalition
In September, Risk Insights as a member of the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC) had the privilege of presenting at the GCBC event. Our session highlighted how Africa’s capital markets can leverage AI-driven ESG analytics to strengthen transparency, unlock sustainable finance, and accelerate inclusive growth.
We shared our perspective on the importance of locally grounded ESG intelligence is essential to balance global reporting standards with Africa’s unique opportunities and risks. By democratizing sustainability data and aligning with frameworks such as ISSB and CSRD, we believe African companies can attract long-term investment while building resilience in the face of climate, social, and governance challenges.
Our participation at GCBC reflects our continued mission to:
- Drive accessible and reliable ESG data across African markets
- Support issuers, investors, and regulators in building trust and transparency
- Champion Africa’s competitive advantage in the global sustainability transition
We thank GCBC for providing a platform for this critical dialogue and look forward to continuing these conversations with stakeholders dedicated to reimagining the future of capitalism.
Risk Insights at the Leadership Conference 2025
We are pleased to share that Risk Insights will be participating in the Strategic Risk, Resilience, ESG & AI-Enabled Risk Leadership Conference 2025, taking place from November 11–14, 2025, at Capital on The Park Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa.
This high-level convening will bring together leaders, practitioners, and innovators to address the pressing challenges and opportunities in navigating complexity in today’s world. The conference will explore:
- Strategic Risk & Resilience – Preparing organizations for volatility and systemic shocks.
- ESG Integration – Harnessing Environmental, Social, and Governance practices for sustainable value creation.
- AI-Enabled Risk Management – Leveraging advanced technology to enhance decision-making and foresight.
At Risk Insights, we remain committed to pioneering ESG and powering Africa’s tomorrow. Our participation in this conference underscores our dedication to shaping Africa’s sustainability agenda and strengthening resilience through cutting-edge risk intelligence.
We look forward to contributing to these important conversations and engaging with peers and partners from across Africa and beyond.
Tickets & more information: waylogicinnovate.co.za
4th Annual Africa Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Summit
We are proud to share that Dr Andrey Bogdanov, Chief Executive Officer of Risk Insights, will be speaking at the 4th Annual Africa Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Summit and Expo 2025, taking place on 27–28 November 2025.
As a leader committed to embedding ESG and inclusive risk management across Africa, Andrey brings a wealth of expertise in building sustainable systems that empower both businesses and communities. His contribution will spotlight how advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is not only a moral imperative but also a driver of resilience, innovation, and long-term growth for African markets. Mr Bogdanov academic interest focuses on the ESG and Gender in leadership. Dr Bogdanov will be uncovering besides others True Gender Leadership and How it is Different to Symbolic One in Africa’s context.
At Risk Insights, we believe in “Pioneering ESG, Powering Africa’s Tomorrow” — and this conversation will highlight how DEIB sits at the very heart of that mission.
Risk Insights at Cbonds Dubai 2025
We are delighted to share that Risk Insights has been invited to participate in the upcoming Cbonds Emerging Markets Fixed Income Conference taking place in Dubai on 13 November 2025.
Our contribution will spotlight Africa’s rapidly evolving ESG landscape within global capital markets. From the growth and maturity of African ESG bond markets to the critical issues of greenium, investor responsiveness, and the risks of greenwashing, we will bring unique insights grounded in our pioneering AI-powered ESG GPS® ratings model.
This is not only an opportunity to showcase Africa’s innovation in sustainable finance, but also to highlight how AI and ESG data can reshape transparency, attract capital, and support long-term economic resilience across the continent.
At Risk Insights, we remain committed to pioneering ESG, powering Africa’s tomorrow — and we look forward to engaging with global investors, thought leaders, and policymakers at this prestigious gathering.
Risk Insights at The Market 2.0 – Bahrain
We are pleased to announce that Risk Insights will be participating in The Market 2.0 Conference, taking place on 20 November 2025 at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Kingdom of Bahrain.
This global platform brings together forward-thinking leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the transformation of markets in an era of rapid change.
At Risk Insights, we will spotlight:
- Africa’s ESG journey and its role in shaping global market innovation.
- How AI-powered ESG GPS® tools strengthen transparency, accountability, and investment flows.
- The opportunities for emerging markets to align with global sustainability and risk frameworks.
Our participation reinforces our mission: Pioneering ESG, Powering Africa’s Tomorrow — ensuring Africa’s voice and leadership remain central in global financial transformation.
The Inaugural Pan-Africa ESG Awards – Kigali, Rwanda
We are proud to invite you to the first-ever Pan-Africa ESG Awards, hosted by the African[AB1] Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA), taking place on 27 November 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda.
This historic event marks a milestone in Africa’s journey towards sustainable finance and responsible investment, celebrating the companies and leaders driving environmental stewardship, social progress, and governance excellence across the continent.
The Awards will:
🏆 Recognize Africa’s ESG trailblazers setting benchmarks in sustainability.
🌱 Highlight innovation in corporate responsibility and resilience.
🌍 Showcase Africa’s unique leadership in building an inclusive, transparent, and sustainable financial future.
Join us in honouring those who are shaping Africa’s ESG legacy and powering the continent’s sustainable tomorrow. More information available: https://asea.smartevent.rw/awards.html
