What this life looks like
You help organisations measure, report, and improve their environmental and social impact. Digital sustainability consultants work on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) strategy, sustainability reporting, carbon accounting, and the digital tools that make organisations' sustainability commitments real and verifiable. As international investors, development finance institutions, and consumers demand accountability on sustainability, the expertise to navigate this landscape has become commercially essential.
What she actually does
You assess organisations' environmental and social impact, develop ESG strategies and targets, support sustainability reporting aligned with global frameworks (GRI, SASB, TCFD), conduct carbon footprints and build carbon reduction strategies, advise on climate risk in business strategy, use digital tools for sustainability data collection and reporting, engage with sustainability rating agencies, and advise investors on sustainability due diligence.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Consulting Firms | Deloitte Sustainability, PwC ESG, EY Climate Change — all major consulting firms have growing sustainability practices in Africa |
| Development Finance | IFC, AfDB, USAID — require sustainability assessment for all financing decisions |
| Independent Consulting | Experienced sustainability professionals building independent practices serving African corporates and investors |
| African Corporates | South African JSE-listed companies, Nigerian Eurobond issuers, and East African exporters need sustainability expertise |
Why it matters in Africa
African businesses are increasingly required to demonstrate sustainability performance to access international investment, export to European markets (subject to CSRD — Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive requirements), and satisfy development finance institution conditions. At the same time, Africa is both highly vulnerable to climate change and home to companies that will play a central role in the global clean energy transition. Sustainability consultants who understand both the African business context and international ESG standards are building genuinely valuable expertise.
Your pathway in
- Study Environmental Science, Business, Economics, or Law with an environmental or sustainability focus at university
- Develop knowledge of ESG frameworks: the GRI Standards, SASB, TCFD, and the emerging ISSB standards are the primary reporting frameworks
- Build knowledge of carbon accounting: the GHG Protocol is the universal standard for carbon footprint calculation — studying it is essential for corporate sustainability work
- Pursue relevant certification: the CFA ESG Certificate, IEMA Associate membership, and GRI Certified Sustainability Professional are recognised credentials
- Connect with the African sustainability consulting market through IEMA Africa, the UN Global Compact Africa, and sustainability networks in your country
Skills you will need
- ESG framework knowledge (GRI, SASB, TCFD)
- Carbon accounting (GHG Protocol)
- Sustainability reporting
- Stakeholder engagement
- Climate risk analysis
- Data collection and reporting tools
A woman in this field
Orevaoghene I. Atanya
Nigeria
Orevaoghene I. Atanya is a Nigerian sustainability expert, academic, and management executive who serves as the Director of the Lagos Business School Sustainability Centre. She is an authority on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, circular economy strategies, and corporate social impact across Africa. She holds a Master of Science (MSc) in Management from the University of Bradford School of Management and is an alumnus of LBS.
Take your first step
- Study the GRI Standards at globalreporting.org — the Global Reporting Initiative is the most widely used sustainability reporting framework globally and understanding its structure gives you the foundational framework most African sustainability professionals work within
- Research JSE ESG disclosure requirements for South African listed companies and similar requirements in other African markets — understanding what companies are legally required to report on shapes what sustainability consultants are hired to help them do
- Take the free online MOOC on Sustainability Reporting from the Global Reporting Initiative — it provides a structured introduction to sustainability reporting that is directly applicable to professional sustainability consulting
- Connect with the UN Global Compact South Africa and equivalent bodies in your country — they represent the community of businesses committed to sustainability and are the natural network for sustainability consultants building African practices