Imani Development

07/10/2026

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?

This question stayed with us after attending the 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼 in Johannesburg last week. Discussions emphasised using sustainability data to guide strategy, manage risks and identify opportunities.

For smaller businesses, ESG requirements need to reflect their capacity and offer clear business value. Moving from commitments to implementation also requires clear responsibilities and practical support.

These insights connect directly to our work on the 𝗘𝗨-𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵4𝗖𝗘 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 in , supporting enterprises adopting green technologies and circular economy models, and to Imani Development’s broader work on private sector development, sustainable trade and inclusive growth.

Africa’s businesses and institutions have an essential role in shaping how ESG evolves, ensuring approaches are commercially useful and responsive to local development priorities.

Thank you to the organisers, speakers and fellow participants for valuable discussions and new connections.

23/09/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲

Imani Development is working with the SADC Secretariat, through the GIZ-implemented 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹-𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗔𝗗𝗖 (𝗦𝗡𝗥𝗟) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲, to support implementation of the SADC Protocol on Trade. A key part of this work is the development and operationalisation of an M&E Framework that enables Member States and the SADC Secretariat to track implementation of, and compliance with, commitments under the Protocol through an agreed set of indicators.

Following the piloting of the Framework in Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique and Tanzania, Imani recently supported an orientation workshop in Mbabane to work with eSwatini stakeholders on its practical implementation. The workshop brought together representatives from across government to review the indicators, identify data sources and institutional responsibilities, and develop a practical roadmap for reporting.

Discussion highlighted the need for institutional coordination, interoperable data systems, and broader stakeholder engagement. It also identified priorities for the Framework’s future development, including expanded coverage of standards and other non-tariff measures and the integration of gender considerations. The next steps will focus on embedding the Framework within national structures and strengthening the systems needed to track implementation.

As the Framework is put in place across SADC Member States, the next step is to ensure that monitoring does more than measure compliance: it should help identify where implementation is working, where barriers remain, and where action is needed to translate regional trade commitments into tangible result.

Find out more about the programme: https://www.giz.de/en/projects/strengthening-national-regional-linkages-sadc

14/08/2026

Following recent commemorations, it's interesting to note that society has moved beyond treating youth as a beneficiary category, to viewing them as contributors to economic growth.

Recognizing youth as a distinct and underserved group within trade and agricultural policy remains a relatively new frontier. As a regionally based firm, we are committed to building enabling environments that offer opportunities for young people to participate in local economies. Increasingly our work has focused on addressing structural constraints to youth participation.

Across our projects, our work centres on reducing trade barriers, enhancing productive capacity and strengthening value chains. Our portfolio of work spans three complementary levels:

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹

At the continental policy level, Imani Development recently supported the AfCFTA Secretariat’s Gender and Youth Unit and GIZ/GOPA on an in-depth diagnostic study on the 𝗔𝗳𝗖𝗙𝗧𝗔 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 & 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 (𝗣𝗪𝗬𝗧). The study assessed how provisions in the Protocol respond to specific constraints faced by women and youth-led businesses and traders across Africa.

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹

Imani Development worked with the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) in understanding and addressing barriers to women and youth participation in regional trade. The assignment sought to generate evidence, baseline data and identify policy, market and institutional gaps constraining youth and women-led businesses in regional trade.

𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹

Imani is also directly involved in programmes that support young entrepreneurs and MSMEs with capital, technical assistance, mentoring, market access and investment-readiness support. Some of these include EU-funded Growth Accelerator Malawi, Green Economic Transition Facility and the Green Recycling Enterprises Engaging in New Technology for a Circular Economy (GREEN Tech4CE) project.

International Youth Day should not be a once-off celebration, but a commitment to our youth and the boundless potential they bring. Its an opportunity for governments, institutions, and communities to engage and find accessible pathways for our young people to contribute to regional economic growth.

24/06/2026

Delighted to be part of FCDO’s flagship programme to combat Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Malawi. As the local research partner on the Pamodzi Kuthetsa Nkhanza (PKN) programme, Imani Development Malawi evaluates multi-component interventions to facilitate the reduction of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Lilongwe and Balaka Districts.

04/06/2026

🌊 🎣 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗶𝗸𝗮

Fishing has long sustained communities along Lake Tanganyika, but overfishing, climate change, and land degradation are placing this vital ecosystem under strain. In response, the FISH4ACP Alternative Livelihoods initiative in is supporting communities in Mpulungu and Nsumbu to diversify incomes, strengthen resilience, and reduce pressure on fisheries—while building sustainable, market-oriented local economies.

Since May 2025, the programme has engaged 15 cooperatives across eight rural communities, reaching over 400 households with 58% women’s participation. Investments in rice mills, greenhouse seedling tunnels, treadle irrigation pumps, and solar-powered cold storage hubs are creating practical, scalable livelihood opportunities that improve food security, generate income, and empower local communities.

Read more ➡️https://imanidevelopment.com/beyond-fishing-how-fish4acp-is-unlocking-new-livelihoods-on-lake-tanganyika-by-chido-myambo/

Along the shores of Lake Tanganyika—one of the world’s most important freshwater ecosystems—fishing is more than a livelihood. It sustains nearly half of rural jobs and provides a critical source of food and income for millions. Sadly, this vital system is under growing strain. Overfishing, cl...

25/05/2026

The development landscape remains a dynamic and volatile operating environment, but we believe this is an opportune time for a regionally based company that supports development on a rapidly transforming continent. Our declaration of global vision and local knowledge continues to signpost the true value we bring.

Today on , we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate our home and our continent. On this special day, we reaffirm our commitment to contributing to Africa’s growth & development. Happy

29/04/2026

𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗖𝗙𝗧𝗔

Earlier this month, the COMESA Council of Ministers, during their Extraordinary Meeting, formally adopted the COMESA Strategy for the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

The strategy, developed in 2024 by Imani Development under the leadership of Dr Nick Charalambides, Francis Mangeni, Steven Karangizi, and Mark Pearson, has since undergone extensive consultations and refinement by the Secretariat to ensure a robust approach to implementation before being presented to the Ministers.

With the benefit of time since the analysis was finalized, we are now able to reflect more objectively on several of the strategy’s key strengths;

🤝 it treats AfCFTA and COMESA as complementary, and addresses overlap directly;

🏗️ it builds on existing COMESA instruments and institutions;

🎯 it focuses on practical implementation issues—coordination, capacity, and sequencing;

🈸 it integrates all actions within COMESA’s own Medium- Term Strategic Plan (MTSP).

One aspect that is perhaps less visible, but important, is the legal analysis. The strategy looks carefully at how AfCFTA obligations interact with the COMESA acquis, including areas of convergence, divergence, and potential duplication (for example in investment frameworks). That in turn informs how implementation is approached in practice.

Congratulations to christopher onyango and the COMESA team!

Read more➡️ https://www.comesa.int/press-release-9th-extraordinary-meeting-of-the-comesa-council-of-ministers-2-april-2026-virtual/

22/04/2026

Today, on we unite under the global call to action: “OUR POWER, OUR PLANET.” serves as a powerful reminder that our responsibility to protect and nurture the planet extends beyond a single day—it is a commitment we must uphold every day.

We are excited to introduce a high-impact programme implemented by CaDev_Catalyst Development and Challenges Zambia, designed to empower innovators and entrepreneurs building solutions in the circular economy and green sectors.

Applications are now open for the 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵4𝗖𝗘 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 & 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲!

♻️ If you are building sustainable, climate-smart solutions that tackle waste, enhance resource efficiency, and create real environmental impact, this programme offers you the support, mentorship, and ecosystem access needed to scale your business.

Apply and learn more here 🔗 https://cadev.co.zm/greenscale-zambia-application-form/

25/03/2026

Our B Corp™ Certification journey began in May 2017, with a simple but powerful belief that business should be a force for good; a value we’ve long held since 1982 when we started. Ever since, we have worked hard to push boundaries, holding ourselves accountable to reshaping the future through ethical business.

With the 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗕 𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 challenging us to raise the bar in the future, being a B Corp is just the beginning, as we strive to meet these higher standards. Our B Corp™ Certification is a powerful signal that shows our commitment to measurable social and environmental progress — all while living our values.