Ouagadougou: The Center for Analysis of Economic and Social Policies (CAPES) in collaboration with the General Confederation of Enterprises of Faso organized a national symposium in Ouagadougou dedicated to the institutionalization of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The initiative aims to strengthen national sovereignty through inclusive, sustainable, and resilient economic development.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister in charge of Territorial Administration, Emile Zerbo, emphasized the strategic importance of CSR in the development model of companies. He stated that being socially responsible involves promoting local content by sourcing from small and medium enterprises and national cooperatives, creating inclusive value chains, and enhancing youth employability through training.
The minister highlighted the necessity for companies to adopt environmentally friendly practices, ensure decent working conditions, and contribute to social peace in the communities where they operate. He further mentioned that voluntary corporate commitment, while essential, is not sufficient for lasting transformation. Institutionalizing CSR would provide a clear framework with minimum standards and mechanisms for recognizing virtuous companies.
The proposed framework could include tax incentives and improved access to public procurement to promote responsible practices. Idrissa Nassa, president of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Faso (COGEF), acknowledged the essential nature of CSR and expressed support for its institutionalization, provided it is based on a stable framework developed in collaboration with the private sector. Nassa advocated for an incentive-based approach tailored to national realities and called for ongoing dialogue between the government, businesses, and other stakeholders.
Dr. Alain Siri, executive director of CAPES, commended the commitment of the companies present and encouraged them to integrate social and environmental dimensions into their performance strategies. The symposium, themed "Institutionalisation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Burkina Faso: issues, challenges and perspectives," gathered public, private, academic, and civil society actors to discuss mechanisms to make CSR a structural lever of development.
The organizers aim to establish a national framework for institutionalizing CSR through this symposium. The recommendations from the discussions are expected to enable Burkina Faso to create a coherent system to promote responsible economic growth and shared prosperity, concluded Dr. Siri.