Amethis is a signatory of the UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) since July 2013. Amethis has been ranked A+ for its overarching approach (highest score) and scores A for internal ESG management. Most efforts done over the past years are dedicated to areas of improvements such as Responsible Investment Promotion and outcomes measurement.
Amethis adopts a responsible approach, promoting international standards in environmental and social management (IFC Performance Standards, World Bank EHS guidelines, ILO guidelines), but also governance, compliance and financial best practices (responsible lending for example).
As a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investments since 2013, Amethis is committed to promoting the 6 Principles for Responsible Investment and annually reports its approach and achievements: Amethis goes beyond usual E&S management systems, providing a unique approach to responsible investments through development impact measurement and scoring and opportunity assessment and implementation
Amethis believes that economic growth and healthy environment go hand-in-hand. It considers that most African risks, challenges and opportunities are strongly related to social and environmental considerations: employment and demographic growth, overexploitation of natural resources, sanitary risks… By investing in the continent, Amethis assumes responsibility for assessing and managing the risks, and taking advantage of these opportunities.
As environmental and societal responsibility ranks high among the priorities of its activities, Amethis recognizes the importance of mainstreaming these considerations into all business activities. This responsible investment strategy relies on two pillars:
Amethis adopts a responsible approach, promoting international standards in environmental and social management (IFC Performance Standards, World Bank EHS guidelines, ILO guidelines), but also governance, compliance and financial best practices. As a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investments since 2013, Amethis is committed to promoting the 6 Principles for Responsible Investment and annually reports its approach and achievements:
Amethis goes beyond usual E&S management systems, providing a unique approach to responsible investments through development impact measurement and scoring and opportunity assessment and implementation
Amethis promotes occupational health and safety measures compliant with best standards and practices and intends to improve social protection of investee’s employees. Amethis has invested in a group of clinics too (e.g. Novamed)
Given the low level of education in Africa, Amethis assists the companies that have developed ambitious training programs and particularly continuing training (e.g. CDCI new training program). As of June 2017, 11’062 days were spent on training by our investees employees.
Amethis takes into account gender equality, supports women empowerment and pressures companies that show limited considerations for this issue (e.g. plan to tackle Ramco’s low female ratio) . As of June 2017, 37% of our investees employees were women.
Portfolio companies have to implement an ESMS, comply with minimum wage standards and develop an employee policy. Thus, fostering companies’ activities will lead to local development and sustainable economic growth. As of June 2017, Amethis’ investees employed 17’458 FTEs (+3’559 since our initial investment) of which 13% are under 30 years old.
Amethis’ investment intends to contribute to sustainable development of target countries, aiming for impact along the value chain. (eg. Fidelity’s smart account for a broad range of the population).
Portfolio companies implement action plans that include energy efficiency measures, fleet management and resource savings for the benefice of inner-city inhabitants.
Environmental measures (waste water treatment, air emission reductions, solid waste recylcling…) have a positive impact on the whole ecosystem (eg. Boulos wood and paper suppliers based on a network of recyclers). As of June 2017, no severe environmental accident nor social disorder were caused by Amethis’ investees.
Amethis is Signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment and a member a numerous international initiatives promoting better practices and sustainable development (eg. Contribution to AFIC or UNDP).