African governments and businesses must move beyond policy awareness to real, measurable action on human rights in supply chains, according to Professor Damilola Sunday Olawuyi (SAN), Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights.
Speaking in Nairobi at the 2nd East and Horn of Africa Business and Human Rights Dialogue, Olawuyi called for urgent implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) across the continent’s key economic sectors.
The high-level forum, themed “Beyond Compliance: Strengthening Accountable and Rights-Centred Supply Chains in East and Horn of Africa,” was convened by DanChurchAid in partnership with the UN, Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and regional stakeholders.
Addressing leaders from government, business, and civil society, Olawuyi stressed that embedding human rights due diligence throughout supply chains is no longer optional.
He cited global shifts like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D), warning that “African businesses that fail to respond risk being left behind in a rapidly changing rights-based global economy.”
“Africa is rising as the hub for new investments in critical minerals, infrastructure, agribusiness and green technologies.
“At the same time, local communities, Indigenous groups, and marginalised stakeholders want a prosperous Africa that embeds environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices across our supply chains,” Olawuyi said.
He added: “No one wants tea, coffee, or even critical minerals sourced from exploitative value chains. This is not only about compliance, but also about responding to growing consumer demand for green and responsibly sourced products.”
The UN expert commended Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Liberia, and Ghana as the first African countries to adopt National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights, but urged accelerated action to translate growing commitments into measurable progress.
Olawuyi emphasised the use of technology and digital platforms to track, monitor, and address human rights risks in supply chains. He urged states and businesses to increase financial and technical support for youth innovators, digital entrepreneurs, universities, national human rights institutions, and civil society organisations promoting ethical, rights-based investments.
The forum drew high-level speakers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), UNDP, UN Global Compact, UNICEF, African Union, and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, among others.
Olawuyi, who also serves as global vice chair of the International Law Association, will present a report on business respect for human rights to the UN Human Rights Council’s 62nd session in Geneva from June 15 to July 7, 2026.
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