Empowering Sustainable Growth: New Program Teaches Environmental, Social, Governance Principles to African Startups

In a move designed to help African businesses build more resilient foundations, Talstack—a corporate learning platform—has launched an environmental, social, and governance (ESG) program in partnership with British International Investment (BII) and Ventures Platform.

The comprehensive curriculum offers founders and their teams practical guidance on integrating ESG principles into daily operations. Rather than viewing compliance as a hurdle for fundraising, the program reframes it as a strategic advantage that supports long-term sustainability.

Why This Matters Now

With global investors increasingly prioritizing ESG factors—a Bloomberg Intelligence survey found nearly 85% expect allocations to grow in the next two years—this initiative addresses a critical need for African startups. Many currently treat ESG as an obligation rather than an embedded practice.

“When people hear ESG, they often think about complex rules or policies,” explained Talstack cofounder Kayode Oyewole. “But understanding its importance is essential for sustainable growth.”

What’s Covered in the Program

The ESG learning track consists of four self-paced courses:

  • Respectful Workplaces: Creating inclusive and equitable environments\n* Human Resources & People Management: Building fair employment practices\n* Anti-Bribery & Corruption: Maintaining business integrity\n* Supply Chain Risk Management: Ensuring responsible sourcing

Each course combines instruction with practical application frameworks, allowing learners to immediately implement what they’ve learned within their organizations.

Who Benefits?

The program is freely available to portfolio companies of Ventures Platform and BII. Other businesses can access it through Talstack subscriptions ranging from $9.46 to $113.50 annually—which also unlocks the platform’s full library of 400+ courses.

With this initiative, Talstack is helping position African startups for long-term success in an increasingly ESG-conscious global marketplace.