LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
ESG In Action Africa Ltd, a consortium dedicated to empowering African organisations in their journey towards Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence.
Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho, Ngozi Edozien & Bella Ikeme are the founders of ESG In Action Africa, a Nigeria based consortium of seasoned consultants and subject matter experts, committed to guiding African organisations on the transformative journey towards sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) excellence. ESG In Action Africa’s mission is clear: To partner with African entities on their ESG journey to sustainability and business excellence, by democratising and localising access to ESG insights, resources, tools, training, and advisory services. Together, the ESG In Action Africa team will help to unlock the full potential of ESG by elevating strategy execution and good governance, thereby building institutions renowned for best practices who will push the envelope on ESG in Africa to the highest international standards and creating lasting value for all stakeholders as well as the communities they collectively serve.
When did your start your business?
Ngozi: ESGiAA officially launched in mid-2023, but we had been working on our vision for a while before that. The timing felt right—businesses were starting to realise the importance of sustainability, and we knew we could help.
Bella: It was the perfect time to step in. We saw a real need, and we were ready to act on it. Our experience and the connections we had made over the years made it possible to bring ESGiAA to life.
Nkem: And we’re just getting started. The last 18 months are the beginning of what we hope will be a long journey toward positive change for African businesses and beyond.
What does your company do?
Nkem: ESGiAA helps businesses understand, adopt, and integrate ESG practices. We offer consultancy, executive training, reporting, and brand integration—basically, we help companies navigate the complexities of sustainability.
Ngozi: Our focus is on making ESG a part of the business DNA. We break down complex concepts into manageable strategies, executional actions and help businesses integrate them into their everyday operations.
Bella: Our mission is to democratise ESG knowledge, making it available to companies across Africa, ensuring they have the tools and insights they need to thrive in a sustainable world.
What inspired you to start your company?
Ngozi: The inspiration came from seeing so many businesses that wanted to adopt sustainable practices, but didn’t have the right tools, the right knowledge, or the right support to do it. We recognized the gap in the market and drew from our experience with companies that have successfully bridged it. ESGiAA became our solution to help others achieve the same.
Bella: Exactly. Our goal was to make ESG accessible to businesses, particularly those in Africa. We knew we could bring real value to organisations by helping them integrate sustainability into their core strategies.
Nkem: And for us, it was also about democratising ESG. We want to make sure every company—big or small—has the resources they need to lead in sustainability.
What makes your business, service or product special?
Bella: What makes ESGiAA special is how we blend global best practices with local insight. We don’t just offer generic solutions—we bring real, relevant expertise to each project we tackle.
Ngozi: And we’re data-driven. We use insights that create actionable outcomes. It’s not just about talking ESG theory—it’s about providing practical solutions that lead to lasting change. We strongly believe in embedding ESG principles into core business strategies and operations, so that sustainability becomes a natural part of everyday work and execution.
Nkem: I also think it’s how we partner with clients. We become a true part of their journey, helping them achieve not just more sustainable businesses, but a better way of doing business overall.
Tell us a little about your team
Nkem: Our team is made up of experts who truly understand ESG and sustainability. We work with a consortium of specialists who bring deep, specific knowledge to each project.
Ngozi: This approach allows us to be agile and tailor our solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. We bring the right people into the mix based on the challenges and goals we’re tackling.
Bella: Exactly. It’s about collaboration and making sure we have the right expertise at every step. Our consortium model really makes us stand out in delivering impactful, scalable solutions.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Ngozi: We all came from entrepreneurial backgrounds, running our own businesses before coming together to form ESGiAA. That mix of experience has really shaped how we approach challenges.
Bella: It’s true—we’ve had our fair share of successes and setbacks, but what really drives us is our shared passion for sustainability. That passion has fueled our journey from day one.
Nkem: And the beauty of our combined experiences is that we’ve learned from each other. We bring a lot of diverse strengths to the table, and that’s what makes ESGiAA unique.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Bella: We want ESGiAA to be the leading voice in sustainability consultancy in Africa. Our plans include expanding our team, partnering with more organisations, and creating innovative tools for businesses to thrive in sustainability.
Ngozi: And we want to create lasting change—not just for our clients, but for the communities they serve. Our vision is to embed sustainability as a core business practice in Africa and make ESG a non-negotiable part of every organisation’s strategy.
Nkem: We’re focused on long-term impact. Our future plans revolve around helping as many African businesses achieve sustainability goals that align with their business objectives as possible, creating a ripple effect that leads to broader societal change.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Bella: It’s the tangible impact we’re creating—watching companies improve their performance, as they evolve in their approach to sustainability and governance, knowing we’ve had a hand in that transformation.
Nkem: There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our clients put ESG principles into action and watching their businesses thrive because of it. We're helping to build something bigger than just business success for the continent.
Ngozi: For me, it’s all about knowing that the product and service we’re building genuinely meets a real business need. Seeing it resonate with customers, knowing it’s helping them succeed—that’s where the reward lies. So, achieving success in both getting our product out there and building something that lasts, while actually generating returns, is incredibly fulfilling.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Nkem: The biggest advice I’d give is to just go for it—trust your vision, and take that leap. Surround yourself with people who believe in what you’re doing; it makes all the difference.
Bella: And never stop learning. Ask questions, seek knowledge, and lean into the challenges. They typically turn out to be the best teachers.
Ngozi: Honestly, my biggest piece of advice would be to make sure your product truly solves a problem and meets real customer needs. And as a founder, it’s essential to have the right processes and policies in place to keep everything manageable as you grow. In the beginning, you’ll probably find yourself wearing all the hats—you’re the finance person, the HR person, the marketing person, everything. So be ready to roll up your sleeves, dive in, and embrace all those roles because, for a while, you’re the entire team. It’s challenging, but incredibly rewarding.
To find out more, send an email to: esgiaa@esginactionafrica.com or visit the website: http://www.esginactionafrica.com
