Old Mutual East Africa (OMEA) has announced its official membership in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), marking a significant milestone in its 180 years of sustainable business leadership.
The UNGC is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative, which brings together more than 20,000 companies across the globe that align their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption.
Old Mutual East Africa’s membership confirms its commitment to embed these principles into its business strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations, while committing to transparent annual reporting on progress. In relation, the company will publish its inaugural Sustainability Report, becoming one of the region’s early voluntary adopters of the IFRS Sustainability and Climate-related Disclosure Standards.
“Old Mutual East Africa has long supported the objectives of the UNGC through our parent Old Mutual Limited. However, the time has come for us to localise our membership, allowing us to actively engage in regional and local initiatives driven by the Global Compact’s local chapters. We believe this move strengthens our ability to contribute meaningfully to sustainability efforts in the East African region, while amplifying the voice of African businesses in global sustainability dialogues,” said OMEA’s Group CEO, Arthur Oginga.
As climate change, social inequalities, and governance challenges reshape the global business landscape, sustainability has become a defining strategic focus for responsible companies. In recognition of this, OMEA has adopted a comprehensive sustainability framework designed to deliver long-term value for stakeholders while addressing the environmental and social challenges most material to its markets.
Developed through a rigorous materiality assessment aligned with IFRS S1 and S2 standards, this strategy enhances the business’s sustainability ambition, expressed through the “Stronger by Old Mutual” framework. This platform is structured around four key pillars: Stronger Communities, Stronger Planet – Stronger Business, and Stronger Systems. The three pillars guide the company’s actions across a wide range of issues, including financial inclusion, climate action, governance and ethical leadership. They also reflect a deep alignment with the 10 Principles of the UNGC and directly support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under the pillar of Stronger Communities, OMEA has prioritised human development through inclusive and accessible financial solutions. So far, the company has reached over 1.2 million people with financial literacy content delivered via digital platforms, community workshops, and targeted youth programs. The organisation publishes an annual Financial Services Monitor Report, which provides readers with forward-looking insights into customer needs and market trends. The launch of the Thrive wellness platform, which promotes financial, physical, and mental wellbeing, has also seen significant uptake among staff in Kenya, with 60% enrolled and 40% engaging with its financial education components.
Environmental responsibility is a core tenet of the Stronger Planet and Stronger Business pillars. In this regard, Old Mutual East Africa has made bold investments in climate-smart infrastructure, such as student housing projects certified by the IFC EDGE green building standard. Additionally, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the company has rehabilitated 60 hectares of the Aberdare National Park, achieving an 80% survival rate. As an early regional adopter of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), Old Mutual is helping to shape frameworks for nature-positive finance across the continent.
The Stronger Systems pillar encompasses the company’s commitment to sound governance, innovation, and ethical business practices. A dedicated Executive Sustainability Committee, chaired by the Group CEO, ensures cross-functional oversight and strategic alignment, while a Board-level ESG governance structure provides high-level accountability.
Old Mutual East Africa’s membership of the UNGC complements a wider network of sustainability partnerships and thought leadership. The business is an active member of the African Natural Capital Alliance and collaborates with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership through a quarterly Corporate Leaders Group platform.
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