FITC Calls on African Firms to Embrace ESG for Competitiveness and Resilience
The Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) has urged businesses across Nigeria and Africa to adopt Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles as a strategic tool to boost competitiveness and institutional resilience.
In a statement ahead of its maiden Sustainability ESG Conference set for June 26, 2025, in Lagos, FITC’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Chizor Malize, emphasized the critical role of ESG in modern business strategy. “At FITC, we understand that ESG is no longer optional—it is a business imperative. This conference underscores our commitment to driving the ESG agenda across Africa and connecting stakeholders to actionable solutions that can transform both institutions and society,” she stated.
Themed ‘Building a Prosperous Future: Unlocking Growth Opportunities Through Sustainability and ESG Innovation’, the summit will convene stakeholders from regulatory agencies, corporates, multilateral institutions, academia, government, and civil society.
Discussions will focus on how ESG practices can foster inclusive growth and enhance institutional governance.
FITC highlighted that the event seeks to reposition ESG from a compliance obligation to a core business strategy.
The conference agenda includes keynote speeches, breakout sessions, solution exhibitions, and networking opportunities designed to deepen engagement with ESG innovations.
During the launch of the FITC ESG Institute in 2024, Oluwasoromidayo George, Director of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at Coca-Cola HBC, remarked, “It is not enough to simply talk about sustainability. Companies must demonstrate their commitment through tangible actions, which is critical for thriving in today’s business landscape.”
The FITC Sustainability & ESG Institute, which was established to promote thought leadership, research, and capacity building across Africa, is already offering tools such as ESG performance scorecards and executive training programmes to support institutional ESG integration.
Governance expert, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, previously emphasized the importance of embedding governance into strategic planning, stating, “Governance ensures that an enterprise remains sustainable and adequately addresses ESG considerations.”
The conference will also explore real-world case studies on embedding ESG into risk management, investment strategies, regulatory compliance, and financial reporting—particularly in light of the growing influence of frameworks like the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) across Africa.
Ibiene Okeleke, Managing Director of the Energy Training Centre, highlighted the need for ESG strategies to reflect local realities. “ESG should not be viewed as a burden but as a strategic asset tailored to an organisation’s unique environment,” she said.
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Prominent speakers expected at the conference include representatives from the Central Bank of Nigeria, ISSB, NGX Regulation Ltd, PwC, Seplat Energy, WEMA Bank, Lagos Business School, and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria.
Femi Awoyemi, Chairman of Proshare Limited, called on organisations to “lead with purpose, innovate with conviction, and act with urgency” amid escalating global ESG expectations and tightening access to capital.
The Financial Institutions Training Center concluded that the conference will spotlight the link between sustainability and economic competitiveness—particularly for African economies seeking to harness opportunities in climate finance, green investment, and international partnerships.
Established by the Bankers’ Committee, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), and all deposit money banks, FITC has evolved over the past four decades into a professional services firm supporting clients in finance, education, the public sector, and enterprise development.
