Monday, September 8, 2025
27.6 C
Lagos

Shared Value Shift: Time for Business to Take the Lead in Africa

The business world is changing, and those who do not stay ahead of the curve are sure to be left behind. It is no longer sufficient to take a profit-first business approach: not only is it not sustainable for the long term, but consumers at all levels are now demanding that the business world develop a conscience. Government regulations are slowly following suit, outlining development criteria to begin this critical shift – but is this enough?
The Shared Value business model is the key to unlocking the business growth and profit in addressing social issues. By identifying challenges that intersect with the business’ purpose and then integrating solutions into the business’ operations at every level of the value chain, doing good becomes part and parcel of doing good business. In essence, Shared Value reconnects the business agenda and the social agenda, intertwining profit and progress.
Corporate social responsibility has become entrenched in our public mindset. Business, having played a role in creating some of the challenges faced by society and the environment today, is now expected to lead the charge in facing and solving them.

The instinctive response is often external policies – good works that rely on allocated resources, often as ephemeral as the feel-good PR they generate. This has its place, of course, but in order to make a real change, business must rewrite its strategic DNA.
This is not about ticking a box, doing just enough to get by. This is about going above and beyond to set new standards, and embedding the profit with purpose model in the core business strategy.
This approach is at the centre of the 2018 Africa Shared Value Summit taking place from 24-25 May 2018 at The Maslow conference centre in Sandton, Johannesburg. The Summit brings together business thought leaders, executives and changemakers, including keynote speaker and co-author of the ground-breaking Harvard Business Review article that first outlined the Shared Value strategy, Mark Kramer, to share insights from their business’ Shared Value journey.
Headline sponsor Absa is just one of the notable businesses throwing their weight behind the Summit – other sponsors are Nando’s, Old Mutual, Enel, Discovery, Woolworths and the World Food Programme. Tiso Blackstar, JCDecaux and SAfm are media partners, while OneTravel and The Maslow are travel partners.

The programme (which can be found on the Summit website) features highlight speakers from across the African continent, sharing insights and case studies that focus on the implementation and impact of Shared Value – and how it can align business to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

spot_img
spot_img

Hot this week

Nigeria, Brazil Central Banks Deepen Economic, Financial Co-operation

Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, has held talks...

Ecobank Nigeria to Host Second Edition of Design & Build, Showcasing Premier Innovators in Design, Construction

Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the leading pan-African banking...

Expert: Fintech, Financial Inclusion Critical for Sustainable Growth of Nigerian Economy

A renowned economist, Dr. Biodun Adedipe, the Chief Consultant/CEO,...

Sterling Bank Marks One Year of Africa’s Groundbreaking Core Banking System

Number one Best Workplace in Banking in Nigeria and...

Topics

Hersurred by Leadway Celebrates One Year of Empowering Women

Leadway Group, one of Nigeria's leading non-banking financial services...

Nigeria’s Smartphone Market Grew in 2019 but COVID-19 Casts Dark Shadow

    Nigeria's smartphone market grew 5.3% quarter on quarter (QoQ)...

NCC to Unveil Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2020-2024 on June 23

In line with the objective of creating a seamless...

Interswitch Named Best Employer Brand at LinkedIn Talent Awards

  Africa’s leading integrated payments and digital commerce company, Interswitch...

New UN, UNDP Resident Representative, Samoura, Promises Full Support to Nigeria

United Nations (UN) Resident Co-ordinator and United Nations Development...

NGX Group Chair: Dangote Refinery is a Blessing to Nigeria

REMARKS DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN, NGX GROUP, ALHAJI (DR.)...

Linkage Assurance: N53bn Total Assets, N5bn Profit in 2023

L-R: Mr. Pius Otia, Non-Executive Director; Mr. Moses Omorogbe,...

Consolidated Hallmark Seeks N500m to Acquire Life Insurer

Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc (CHI) is seeking N500 million...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img