A DECISIVE shift from policy ambition to practical delivery is essential if Zimbabwe is to unlock inclusive, climate-resilient growth, Ubuntu Alliance founder and chief executive Chiyedza Heri has said.
Heri is calling for a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to financing and gender-responsive systems that empower women in business to participate fully in the green economy.
A sustainable development and environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategist, Heri will speak at the Zimbabwe ESG & Sustainable Investment Summit 2026, scheduled for May 5 to 8 at the Montclair Hotel in Nyanga. The summit aims to translate Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2) to bankable projects aligned with Vision 2030.
In an interview with NewsDay, Heri described ESG as a framework that evaluates a company’s environmental impact, social responsibility and governance standards beyond traditional financial metrics.
Environmental factors include emissions, waste and energy efficiency; social metrics assess labour standards, diversity and community relations; while governance focuses on leadership, controls and accountability.
She argued that embedding a culture of sustainability could become “one of the most powerful levers for Zimbabwe’s next development chapter”, turning climate and social risks into investable opportunities.
Heri said Ubuntu Alliance was built on a simple premise: “If businesses can measure their impact, they can monetise it and unlock alternative finance.”
By quantifying emissions, social outcomes and governance performance, firms can access climate funds, impact finance and gender-linked financing that require verifiable data.
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She stressed that sustainability is no longer a costly add-on, but a driver of operational efficiency — reducing waste, improving resource use, cutting downtime, strengthening trust and ultimately enhancing profitability and resilience.
Linking the summit theme — Operationalising NDS 2: From Blueprint to Bankable Projects — to Zimbabwe’s development trajectory, Heri highlighted renewable energy, infrastructure and value-added sectors as critical to delivering economic, environmental and social gains simultaneously.
The executive cautioned against viewing ESG as mere compliance.
“I don’t think any business is too small to start thinking about the impact it has on the environment… on people… on the consumer,” she said.
Heri pointed to global frameworks such as the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures, noting growing pressure on companies to align with evolving standards.
Citing a 2025 study, she noted that only 2% of businesses understand their nature-related risks, raising concerns about how directors can meet fiduciary duties without full risk awareness.
The ESG expert added that structured frameworks helped to identify hidden exposures while unlocking new opportunities.
Heri urged firms to adopt a holistic approach, focusing on environmental management (emission tracking, waste reduction, water efficiency and credible targets), social performance (worker safety, fair labour practices, gender inclusion and community impact), and governance (transparency, anti-corruption controls and board accountability).
On financing the transition, Heri highlighted two key instruments: green bonds, which channel capital to renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure and green buildings; and sustainability-linked loans, which offer favourable terms tied to ESG performance indicators.
She identified agriculture and manufacturing as pivotal sectors due to their roles in jobs, exports and food security, despite their exposure to climate risks. Climate-smart agriculture, agro-processing and circular manufacturing, she said, could reduce vulnerability while strengthening value chains.
Heri emphasised the need for conferences to deliver tangible outcomes.
“The greater the diversity of thought, the greater the problem-solving capacity,” she said, expressing hope for robust engagement, cross-sector collaboration and a shift from dialogue to deal-making.
For businesses, Heri recommends starting with measurement — energy, emissions, water and social impact — before setting realistic targets and aligning with recognised ESG frameworks.
Individuals, she added, could support responsible enterprises, demand transparency and engage in community initiatives.
Her central message is clear: sustainability is no longer optional. It is a strategic tool for managing risk, attracting capital and securing long-term prosperity under NDS 2 — provided Zimbabwe aligns policy, finance and inclusive participation.
