ESG-Focused Research Matters for African Agriculture
By Paul Nnanwobu, Random Dynamic Resources Ltd (Nigeria & Canada)
Let’s be honest—when people hear "ESG," their minds often drift to large corporations, environmental protests, or boardroom presentations filled with acronyms. But ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance—isn’t some distant framework meant only for Fortune 500 companies. It matters here, too. In the farms. In the fields. In the communities where agriculture is not just an industry, but a way of life.
Across Africa, agriculture feeds families, supports livelihoods, and anchors entire economies. And yet, it’s also deeply vulnerable—to climate shifts, to political decisions, to land degradation, and sometimes to the very policies designed to help it. That’s where ESG-focused research comes in. Not as an abstract trend, but as a real tool to understand what’s happening and guide what comes next.
At Random Dynamic Resources Ltd, working across Nigeria and Canada, we’ve seen firsthand how ESG principles can illuminate the hidden dynamics in agricultural systems. But to be clear—this isn’t about collecting data for the sake of checking boxes. It’s about connecting the dots between impact and action.
Take the “E” in ESG—environmental. Droughts, erratic rainfall, soil depletion... these aren’t future problems. They’re here. Farmers are feeling them today. But which regions are hardest hit? What coping strategies are emerging? How do traditional practices adapt—or not—to changing conditions? You won’t find those answers in satellite maps alone. You find them by listening. By asking the right questions. By making space for voices that are often overlooked.
For instance, in Northern Nigeria, we conducted qualitative research with smallholder farmers who had shifted their planting cycles to respond to unpredictable rains. What we uncovered wasn’t just data—it was insight. These farmers weren’t just reacting; they were innovating. But without understanding why they were changing their habits, external aid programs risked offering irrelevant support. The ESG lens helped us—and our partners—see the bigger picture.
Then there’s the “S”—social. This part is often treated as a side note, but I think, perhaps, it's the core. Who has access to land? Who doesn’t? How are decisions made within farming households? How do gender roles affect the uptake of sustainable practices?
In one East African study, we found that even when climate-smart tools were made available, they weren’t always adopted—because women, who handled much of the field labor, weren’t part of the initial training sessions. A simple oversight, maybe. But one with real consequences. ESG-focused research helped surface those gaps.
And yes, the “G”—governance. This one can feel abstract, I know. But governance isn’t just about laws or institutions. It’s about trust. Do farmers believe extension workers are competent? Are cooperatives transparent? Do input suppliers honor pricing agreements? These aren’t footnotes—they shape how agriculture functions at the ground level.
I should mention here—because it matters—that Random Dynamic Resources Ltd has been nominated for the 2025 Go Global Awards, set to take place in London this November. It's more than recognition. It’s an invitation to engage with others who care deeply about transformation—not just growth. The event, hosted by the International Trade Council, is less about applause and more about exchange. It brings together businesses, researchers, innovators—all looking for smarter ways to respond to a world in motion. And we’re proud to be in that room.
Coming back to African agriculture: we often talk about resilience. It’s become a buzzword, sure, but there's truth in it. Farmers across the continent face shifting rains, volatile markets, and aging infrastructure, yet they continue to produce, adapt, and persist.
But resilience doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It needs support. It needs informed policy. And that policy, that support—it needs to be built on evidence. Real evidence. Not assumptions. Not outdated templates. ESG-focused research helps provide that foundation. It brings clarity to complexity.
Is it easy? No. Sometimes the data conflicts. Sometimes people don’t want to talk. Sometimes what we uncover isn’t what we—or our clients—expected. But that’s okay. Honest research isn’t about tidy answers. It’s about grappling with reality. Even when it’s messy.
If we truly want African agriculture to thrive—not just survive—we need to ask better questions. We need to see beyond yield numbers. We need to understand ecosystems, communities, governance, and behavior. ESG helps us do that.
And yes, it’s still evolving. There are gaps in frameworks, debates over definitions, methodological hiccups. But that’s part of the work. We keep refining. Because the future of agriculture in Africa isn’t just a matter of productivity. It’s a matter of sustainability, equity, and shared growth.
