Addressing a Growing Need: Comprehensive ESG Training for African Startups

In response to increasing investor focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, Talstack, a corporate learning platform, has launched a new program designed specifically for African startups. This initiative, backed by the British International Investment (BII) and Ventures Platform, aims to transform ESG compliance from a mere fundraising requirement into an integrated business practice.

The comprehensive program offers self-paced courses covering key areas like respectful workplaces, people management, anti-corruption measures, and supply chain risk mitigation—all tailored for early-stage businesses. According to Kayode Oyewole, cofounder of Talstack, many startups view ESG as a complex set of rules rather than an opportunity for sustainable growth.

“When people hear ESG, what they think about is a complex set of policies or things they have to do to raise financing,” Oyewole explained. “But understanding the importance of this is critical to the long-term health of their company.”

The program’s curriculum was developed with input from BII and Ventures Platform, ensuring practical relevance for African startup contexts. Sonal Premjee, investment director at BII, noted that many portfolio companies lacked accessible ESG guidance suited to their stage of development.

“ESG was often treated as a later-stage compliance exercise, while existing frameworks were too complex or designed for larger organizations,” Premjee said. “This left founders without clear direction on how to manage critical risks around people practices and business integrity.”

Ventures Platform is integrating the ESG track into its founder onboarding process, providing portfolio companies with free access to the training. Other businesses can subscribe to Talstack’s platform for a fee ranging from ₦13,000 to ₦156,000 annually, unlocking additional learning resources.

With nearly 85% of investors expecting ESG strategies to grow in importance over the next two years, this initiative comes at a critical time for African startups seeking sustainable growth and access to capital.