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By Peter Egwuatu

The Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, yesterday, approved the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines, SDGs, even as the guidelines will become effective on January 1, 2019.

The NSE disclosed this, stating that it recognizes that the promotion of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles can facilitate more meaningful engagement between investors and listed companies on ESG risks and opportunities.

The SDGs is expected to further deepen the role played by market operators and regulators in leading sustainability policies and regulations.

The guidelines, according to the Exchange are to primarily provide the value proposition for sustainability in the Nigerian context. It also articulates a step by step approach to integrating sustainability into organisations, indicators that should be considered when providing annual disclosure to the Exchange, and timelines for such disclosures. Whilst developing the guidelines, the Exchange noted that issuers may be at varying levels of understanding sustainability disclosure requirements and capacity to comply with the requirements.

The guidelines will become effective on January 1, 2019. They will be mandatory for companies listed on the Premium Board of the Exchange

Commenting on the SDGs, Chief Executive Officer of NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, explained that: “We are supporting the global agenda of green and sustainable finance, which is so critical for Africa. As the first Exchange to list a sovereign green bond in Africa, our issuance of these guidelines is to further enable investors ascertain their exposure to ESG risks whilst providing our issuers a platform to disclose them along common themes for comparability. We encourage peer exchanges on the continent to continue to enhance information disclosure in their markets as this will help build trust.”

On his part, Mr. Olumide Orojimi, Head, Corporate Communications at the NSE said: “With continued global participation in our market, a shared framework of ESG principles with multi-stakeholder approach and metrics is imperative. The guidelines set out recommendations for good practice in thirteen thematic areas under four core principles in ESG reporting. With the launch of these guidelines, investors can look forward to a consistent approach to ESG reporting from issuers listed on The NSE”.

The SDGs is expected to further deepen the role played by market operators and regulators in leading sustainability policies and regulations.

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