Embracing sustainable digital transformation in Africa

By Somesh Adukia, Managing Director, Canon Central and North Africa

IF they’re not already, sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) should be top of mind for any organisation that produces products that can impact our planet.

Along with the technology that will drive their successful implementation, they’ve transitioned from ‘nice-to-haves’ to fundamental business imperatives.

Fortunately, the world’s business leaders have recognised this fact, with PwC reporting that 76% of global CEOs have either implemented or completed steps to improve energy efficiency, with over half saying they’re innovating new, sustainable products, services, or technologies. Quocirca also recently revealed 85% of business leaders say sustainability will play a significant role in business performance by 2025.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA’S SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY

Across Africa, business leaders are investing in fundamentally transformed operations and business models and sustainability commitments are also increasingly enforced by new regulations, like Kenya’s Plastic Bag Ban, and South Africa’s King IV Report on Corporate Governance, which includes principles that encourage businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations and disclose relevant metrics.

As African leaders look to transition to a more sustainable future, harnessing technology to track and measure emissions against environmental commitments will be key. However, it’s important that these organisations make a start sooner rather than later, with increased pressure in the form of legislation such as the European Commission’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). While similar regulations and guidelines are in place to help countries in Africa align with their respective legislative requirements when it comes to sustainability reporting and compliance, many businesses are finding it challenging to collect and analyse the data needed to track their sustainability progress effectively.

DATA AND ANALYTICS TOOLS – THE KEY TO ADVANCING ESG PROGRESS

Effective analytics and digital tools can help Africa’s business leaders monitor information on the environmental impact of their operations and technology. Understanding where energy is being wasted is an important first step to enable businesses to make changes to reduce their carbon emissions.

Nearly all (97%) businesses surveyed in Workiva’s 2023 Global ESG Practitioner Survey agree that access to technology and data will be essential in making decisions to advance progress towards their ESG goals in the future. This includes insights on key metrics such as CO₂ emissions, as well as a detailed overview of information such as the identity, location, and condition of individual components.

A vast selection of easily integrated asset tracking and digital tools are now available to help capture this – as well as emissions and usage data – in real-time. Some vendors offer assessment services that help customers understand and review the sustainability credentials of their current technology stack, including print and scan infrastructure. These tools translate brand, age, print volumes, security, and print and scan behaviour to indicate the environmental impact of the hardware fleet.

TURNING INSIGHT INTO ACTION WITH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Once companies have gathered the right information, the next step is turning this insight into action. This could include a detailed report with findings and recommendations for the business to help them improve sustainability. Assessing the customer’s current print and scan infrastructure, as well as document workflows, can lead to significant improvements. For instance, analytics data could reveal that they may be purchasing energy-intensive devices or using printers and MFDs (multifunction devices) where workflows are not managed properly, which can waste energy.

BECOMING A MORE SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS

For any African business, a move towards becoming sustainable must include training and awareness programmes to bring employees along on the journey. For example, for an imaging company, making workers aware of the environmental impact of uncollected prints and unnecessary printing where digital alternatives are available, can help to promote sustainable practices.

At Canon, where we’re guided by the philosophy of Kyosei – living and working together for the common good – we’re committed to helping to make the world a more sustainable place, both in the use of our products by customers, and in our own actions. Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we have a wide range of initiatives supporting our circular business and reducing our environmental impact, both across our own operations and with regard to our products.

As is the case globally, leaders of African organisations are under increasing pressure to meet environmental targets. With the right tools, these businesses can increase transparency, make informed decisions, and demonstrate their progress towards a sustainable business model.