African leaders urged to balance investment with human rights

United Nations independent expert and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi

United Nations independent expert and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, has called for bold and innovative reforms to promote trade and investment in Africa without undermining human rights.

According to a statement from the UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar, he made the call during his high-level plenary address at the 5th Africa Forum on Business and Human Rights in Dakar, Senegal.

The forum, held under the theme, “Realising the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment through Responsible Business Conduct,” marked the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Olawuyi said foreign investment and trade were critical to unlocking economic growth, employment and sustainable development across Africa, but warned that economic progress should not come at the expense of human rights and the environment.

He said, “The next 15 years of the Business and Human Rights agenda in Africa calls for bold, innovative and homegrown win-win solutions that sustain accelerated trade and investments in Africa, without jeopardising human rights.

“A win for human rights is a win for businesses, especially in terms of mitigating reputational and regulatory risks, cementing host community support and having a motivated and dedicated workforce, among others.

“On the other hand, a win for businesses in terms of unlocking new clean technologies, unlocking clean energy and sustainable entrepreneurial solutions, is a win for human rights, especially the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.”

Olawuyi also drew attention to the emerging opportunities and risks associated with rapid technological advancement, particularly the expansion of data centres and the digital economy.

He noted that the developments were creating new pressures on water, energy and environmental resources across the continent, stressing the need for a rights-based approach to investment and economic development.

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According to him, projects and infrastructure that could adversely affect communities and the environment should not be approved simply because of their economic value.

The UN expert, therefore, called on governments, investors and businesses to make human rights due diligence a key part of investment decision-making and planning.

He also stressed the importance of developing local capacity and encouraging homegrown solutions to Africa’s development challenges.

“We cannot import our way to a secure, sustainable and rights-based future, so we must innovate locally,” Olawuyi added.

He urged governments and businesses to provide increased financial and technical support for clean-energy innovators, national human rights institutions, higher education institutions, the media, civil society organisations, Indigenous groups and human rights defenders.

Olawuyi said such support would strengthen public awareness of mechanisms for accessing remedies and expressing concerns while promoting peace and sustainable development.

He added that greater investment in human rights education and public reorientation could help unlock youth-led entrepreneurship and innovation capable of driving sustainable economic growth.

The don called for a “whole government approach” to business and human rights, urging stakeholders to match their commitments with concrete action towards implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.