Risk Insights ESG GPS Sustainable Year-End Newsletter 2023

Best wishes for 2024 from Risk Insights Team and Happy Holidays! At Risk Insights, we are committed to playing our part in addressing societal issues and protecting the environment. ESG has become a crucial aspect of business and as the world becomes increasingly aware of the need for sustainability and social responsibility, we are dedicated to educating all stakeholders on continent and beyond on the importance of ESG. 2023 was full of various sustainable engagements and we are excited to announce even more planned for 2024. Stay tuned for big events, as well as some incredible initiatives coming in 2024!? We invite you to join us in our efforts to make the world a better place for all. By participating in our events and using our products, we can work together to promote sustainability in Africa. Together, we can create a more sustainable and equitable future for all. We invite you to be a part of our orbit. For 2024, we look back to build upon our solid foundation of 2023 and all contributions from our stakeholders.

African Securities Exchange Association

In a dynamic three-day event that illuminated the heart of Nairobi, the African Securities Exchange Association (ASEA) Conference 2023 proved to be a pivotal for Risk Insights. The conference was addressed by the President of Kenya His Excellency Dr. William Samoei Ruto. In his address, President Ruto emphasized the continent's role as a critical source of raw materials and renewable energy for the global green transition. He passionately expressed the need for sustainable development, showcasing Africa's potential to lead in renewable energy, harnessing 60% of the world's renewable energy resources. President Ruto underscored the significance of leveraging these assets for a green, sustainable future, calling for global collaboration and investment in Africa's promising green economy.? Under the theme "Position for Growth: Unlocking Africa's Stock Exchanges' Potential for Sustained Economic Development," the conference brought together thought leaders, experts, and organizations committed to shaping the future of Africa's financial landscape, William Samoei Ruto, PhD, CHG. President and Commander in Chief of Defense Forces, Thapelo Tsheole - MComm, MBA Deputy President of The African Securities Exchange Association (ASEA), Akin Adigun, CFA , Senior Investment Officer, Capital Markets, African Development Bank Group, Dr. Anushka Bodganov Risk Insights founder, Pierre Celestin RWABUKUMBA, Vice Chair, African Securities Exchanges Association, Temi Popoola , Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Ahmed Abdelrahman Elsheikh , Executive Chairman, Egyptian Exchange – EGX, Thapelo Tebogo Moribame , Head of Market Development, Botswana Stock Exchange Limited, Monica Oraro , Head, Product and Business Development, Pan-African Payment & Settlement System – PAPSS, InfoTech CEO, Naseer Akhtar, Divisional Head Business Support Service & General Counsel of Nigerian Exchange Limited, Dr. Irene Robinson-Ayanwale, FCAI, FCMR, Sunil Benimadhu,CEO of Stock Exchange of Mauritius, Mr. Justin Bgoni, CEO of Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Risk Insights had the honour of contributing to the conference's discourse on driving sustainable economic growth. Explore the full ASEA Conference by following the details for each day below. Day 1, Day 2

NSE Leading The Change For Sustainability In Africa

Risk Insights collaboration with NSE has been instrumental in advancing ESG practices in Kenya. Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC (NSE) adoption of our AI-powered ESG GPS platform represents a pioneering step, providing access to ESG ratings, disclosure information, and strategic intelligence for listed companies. This strategic venture underscores NSE's commitment to sustainability not only in Kenya, but East Africa and across the African continent. Read more about our collaboration with NSE here. Our joint efforts with NSE gained prominence at the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) Annual Conference, where President William Samoei Ruto, PhD addressed the urgent climate considerations at COP28. NSE and Risk Insights, as champions for sustainable finance, showcased their commitment to ESG stewardship, aligning with global efforts for a sustainable future. Explore the impact from the African Securities Exchange Association Annual Conference here. Additionally, the Executive Leadership Breakfast, themed "The Changing World of ESG and Impact on Capital Markets," brought together esteemed leaders, including Board Chairs, CEOs, and C-Suite Executives. This exclusive event, graced by Secretary Administration John Elung’ata, reaffirmed the government's support towards private sector sustainability goals. The breakfast served as a significant step towards fostering a more sustainable and responsible business environment in Kenya, with NSE, Risk Insights, and Greenco ESG Consultants committed to shaping the future of sustainable business practices. Discover insights from the Executive Leadership Breakfast here.

World Economic Forum Strategic Intelligence Outlook 2023

Risk Insights is enthusiastic to share our participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Strategic Intelligence Outlook event in Geneva, Switzerland. As proud World Economic Forum New Champions, we took center stage in contributing to the global dialogue on sustainability and emerging trends. During this prestigious event, Risk Insights engaged in meaningful discussions with industry leaders and decision-makers, emphasizing our focus on sustainability. Stephan Mergenthaler , Anke D'Angelo , Igor J. , Marie McAuliffe , James Landale, Hussein Dhanani , Trish J Lavery PhD , Sung-Ah Lee, Valentin Golovtchenko , Rachael Caulton , Maria Zubeldia Diaz ,Francisco Betti ,Markus Herrmann, Michele Mosca, Abhinav Chugh , Abdulaziz AlJaziri , Aaron Maniam ,Maria Langan-Riekhof, ?zge Aydogan ,Kanika Hope ,Michael Brown, Josemaria Siota ,Priya Singh, Amit Sinha, Amal EL FALLAH - SEGHROUCHNI, Thomas Clozel , Connie Kuang , Jonathan Bright ,Mirek Dusek , Comfort Ero , Itonde Kakoma, Samir Saran.

Breaking Ground: Risk Insights and OPTEL Group Forge a Transformative Partnership for Carbon Counting and Credits for Africa

Risk Insights announced the groundbreaking partnership between The?OPTEL Group?and Risk Insights, dedicated to advancing sustainable practices in Africa through carbon counting and credits. Collaboration between two companies recognized as a New Champions by the World Economic Forum signifies a commitment to driving positive change on the continent and globally. Read the full press release?here. This announcement marks a pivotal moment in our ongoing commitment as pioneers in Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters. Together, we are driving positive change through innovative solutions, propelling the world toward a greener, more responsible future.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN PwC MAURITIUS AND RISK INSIGHTS

Risk Insights and PwC Mauritius celebrated the culmination of their successful cooperation, marking the next chapter in their collaborative journey in Africa. Together, they ventured into a new market in Mauritius, solidifying their exclusive collaboration. With a shared commitment to sustainable development and recognizing the growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in the business world, Risk Insights and PwC Mauritius have united their expertise to drive sustainability across Africa.?Find the full press release?here.

INSEAD AFRICA INITIATIVE and RISK INSIGHTS ESG DRIVING POSITIVE CHANGE IN AFRICA WEBINAR

"ESG: Driving Positive Change in Africa webinar" was organized through a collaboration between?INSEAD Africa Initiative?and?Risk Insights (Pty) Ltd?. The focus of the webinar was to discuss state of the ESG disclosure, strong ESG practices and implementation across the continent. The panelists provided insights into the present state of ESG in Africa, shared global perspectives and lessons, and discussed the role of ESG disclosure in driving sustainability performance. Additionally, the discussion revolved around leveraging ESG principles as a means of accelerating Africa's development and touched upon other key topics. Recordings of the webinar discussions are available for your convenience?here. Andrey Bogdanov?Dr. Vinika Devasar Rao?INSEAD Africa Initiative?Geoffrey Odundo?Uto Ukpanah?, Zano Mataruka ,Colin Coleman

SME’s IN AFRICA: Best Practice in New Era of Climate Governance

We look back at the fantastic online seminar, 'SMEs in Africa: Best Practices in the New Era of Climate Governance,' presented by the New Champions Community of the World Economic Forum that was hosted on the 25th of October. This event brought together innovative thought leaders to discuss how SMEs in Africa are adapting to the changing landscape of climate governance and sustainability, challenges and opportunities. During this event, our distinguished speakers Anushka Bogdanov, Andrey Bogdanov,?Esha Mansingh,?Frederic de Mariz,?Louis Roy,?Julia (Bouron) Devos?provided valuable insights and strategies for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of sustainability and addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa. Click?here?to view the event.

AFRICA’s drive Towards Sustainability: ESG GPS GHANA & BOTSWANA Launch

Risk Insights announced the launch of the award-winning ESG GPS AI-powered ESG rating model for 100% of the companies listed at the Ghana Stock Exchange and Botswana Stock Exchange. As these two countries are rapidly developing and becoming increasingly important gateways to Africa, it is crucial that ESG’s best practices and frameworks are prioritized. By adapting to ESG demands, Ghana and Botswana will contribute to paving the way forward for sustainable development in Africa. Watch the full launch here.

Strategic Partnership: Risk Insights and CBONDS Expanding ESG Visibility for African Listed Companies

Risk Insights is delighted to have announced our ESG data integration with Cbonds , a leading financial information platform! Now, our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ESG GPS ratings for all companies listed on major African stock exchanges, are showcased not only on the World Economic Intelligence platform but also on Cbonds. Cbonds is renowned for its extensive bond market coverage and insights, Cbonds is a global hub for investors, financial professionals, and institutions.

ESG Adoption and Strategic Integration in Leading JSE Listed Firms Report

Risk Insights is delighted to have announced the release of our joint report in collaboration with Henley Business School - Africa: "ESG Adoption and Strategic Integration in Leading JSE Listed Firms." Explore the report?here. This comprehensive report delves deep into the world of ESG practices within some of the leading Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed companies. Discover key insights into ESG management practices and the challenges faced by directors and executives of leading JSE listed ?rms in integrating ESG factors into their strategic decisions. Our report sheds light on the strategies, obstacles, and opportunities for driving positive change. A special thank you and heartfelt gratitude to:?Daniel J Petzer?Henley Business School - Africa, Anushka Bogdanov and?Andrey Bogdanov?Risk Insights (Pty) Ltd. We appreciate e?orts of the Steering Committee?Kuben Naidoo?South African Reserve Bank,?Itumeleng Monale?JSE,?Lullu Krugel?PwC South Africa. The team of researchers?Filipe Manuel Morais, PhD,?Henriette Malherbe, PhD,?Melani Prinsloo, Shamima Vawda,?Vickey de Villiers. Join us in our journey towards a more sustainable and responsible business landscape. Let's drive change together!

RISK INSIGHTS AND TELLIMER JOIN FORCES TO TRANSFORM AFRICA’S ESG MARKET RESEARCH

Risk Insights and?Tellimer?have joined forces to revolutionize emerging market research with cutting-edge ESG expertise.?This strategic cooperation brings together the best of both worlds, combining Tellimer's extensive market research with Risk Insights' innovative ESG insights.?Investors and other stakeholders can now access comprehensive analysis and published ratings of all listed companies enriched with environmental, social, and governance considerations. Together, companies aim to shape the future of emerging markets research and facilitate a more sustainable approach to investment decision-making. Full press release is available?here. On the Tellimer platform you can find Risk Insights (Pty) Ltd ESG Africa Banking Sector Report, JSE Top 40? Sector Report and the latest ESG GPS Africa Telecommunications Sector Report.

Risk Insights ESG GPS Ratings on the World Economic Forum Strategic Intelligence Platform

ESG GPS Ratings for all companies listed at The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE),?Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group), Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC and The Stock Exchange of Mauritius Ltd. (SEM) are available Globally via the?World Economic Forum?Strategic Intelligence Platform! Click here?to visit the platform. To see more of our ESG GPS Ratings visit our website here.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH! www.riskinsights.co.za

Risk Insights unveiled its brand-new?website!?We made changes to ensure that we can improve and take our commitment to excellence in communication to the next level.? Enjoy diving into our?Products & Services?and discover the solutions that can empower your business to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing world. We launched four amazing new products. Tune in to our?Podcast?and get insights from the experts as we discuss all things risk, sustainability, and more. Explore the ESG Ratings of all listed companies at 6 exchanges and understand the environmental, social, and governance factors affecting these countries, and how they impact your investments and operations. Visit our website here and take a deep dive into the world of risk management, sustainability, and informed decision-making!

Risk Insights Announces Our New Products

In an eventful year at Risk Insights, we are thrilled to highlight the introduction of several groundbreaking products that have reshaped the ESG landscape. First up is A-Cubed, our innovative ESG rating tool designed for unlisted companies, available on the Microsoft Store. This tool offers a swift and powerful solution for sustainable growth, allowing businesses to get rated and receive their reports within minutes. Following is Vision, a dynamic software dashboard tailored for companies, asset managers, and investors seeking comprehensive ESG intensity and ranking information within specific industries or sectors. Both A-Cubed and Vision have added significant value to our suite of offerings this year. Additionally, we are pleased to introduce the following products that have enriched our offerings throughout the year. ESG GPS State Owned Enterprise (ESGGPS SOE), ESG GPS Supply Chain Management (ESGGPS SCM), ESG GPS Portfolio Management (ESGGPS PM), ESG GPS Reporting (ESGGPS R), For more information, please click?here.

Risk Insights ESG research of the year - Africa by Environmental Finance

Risk Insights ESG research report analyzing ESG disclosures in the African banking sector has been recognized as the "ESG research of the year - Africa" by Environmental Finance in its 2023 Sustainable Investment Awards! Our globally renowned AI-powered Risk Insights ESG GPS? suite of products and A-Cubed remain at the forefront of supporting companies, asset managers, regulators, and all stakeholders in their pursuit for more sustainable future. More information about the award is available?here. We are grateful to our clients and Environmental Finance for this prestigious recognition and remain committed to delivering exceptional ESG data and insights to our valued clients and society to support Drive Towards Sustainability.

We are in the JSE Magazine

Exciting News! Check out Risk Insights advert in the JSE?Magazine! For a glimpse into our world of innovative solutions, check out the magazine?here. If you are eager to dive deeper and explore our amazing products in more detail, click?here. Your journey to informed decision-making starts now!

New IRC Members

Risk Insights welcomes Irene K. as Chair for Mauritius and Kenyan IRC Member and Alan Seccombe , a retired tax partner at PwC South Africa, to its IRC team.

RISK INSIGHTS ESG SCORE 2023

Leadership starts with home.?Risk Insights evaluated itself using the A-Cubed model.?The Risk Insights Overall ESG Rating Score for 2023 is here! After extensive evaluation using the A-Cube comprehensive framework, we now have a clear understanding of our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance for this year and the way forward. Assess the ESG performance of unlisted companies, your supply chains and clients’ portfolio with this easy-to-use AI- powered desktop tool – A-Cubed. By encouraging stakeholders to self-assess their ESG readiness using A-Cubed, enhance transparency, accountability, and ESG stewardship throughout your supply chain. Identify ESG exposure accurately, demonstrate preparedness for ESG, and foster responsible partnerships. Find the video link to A-Cubed?here.

ABOUT RISK INSIGHTS?:

Risk Insights? is a professional data science boutique that delivers to its client’s sustainable solutions and products using the latest achievements of data science. Risk Insights? provides sustainable solutions with numerous products and services, including but not limited to:

·Data analytics ·ESG GPS? ESG ratings ·Education

RI believes in the impact that sustainable practices can have on the longevity and continuity of a business. Being on the front line, in the development of cutting-edge technology, Risk Insights? has grown to become the first developer of an ESG rating tool, for Africa. As such, Risk Insights? was awarded the Agile Governance Award by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2020; received an Honourable Mention by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for excellence in sustainability in 2021; and the Certificate of Professional Services from the Institute of Risk Management South Africa. In 2022 Risk Insights was awarded the Best ESG Data Provider - Africa by Environmental Finance and in 2023 recognized as the ESG Research of the Year – Africa.

RISK INSIGHTS? PRODUCTS:

Stay tuned for more information! To find out more about Risk Insights? click here.

To find out more information about our amazing ESG GPS? Products click here.