12 Oct 2023
Our commitment to sustainable development
Our commitment to sustainable development
Following on from the BRICS Summit Beijing Declaration, representatives of all member countries reaffirmed their commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in its three dimensions - economic, social and environmental. The 2030 Agenda envisions a secure world free of poverty and hunger, with full and productive employment, access to quality education and universal health coverage, the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, and an end to environmental degradation.
As an investor in pioneering technologies, our software-driven and asset-light digital services are developing sustainable solutions for big societal needs. Our locally owned and built businesses are not only driving innovation in key areas of life – from finance to education – but are creating jobs and helping to transform social and economic inequalities.
Sustainable development is contingent on economic growth, that we pursue by building leading companies in Brazil, India, China and South Africa that empower people and enrich communities. We recognise that growing economic activity in the green industry sector and shifting the economy as a whole towards cleaner industries is critical for countries to move towards a resource-efficient and low-carbon growth path.
The South African BRICS Business Council presented the 2023 BRICS Energy Cooperation Forum at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg on 19 August 2023.As part of the proceedings, Naspers Limited and National Business Initiative (NBI) hosted two roundtable discussions with a diverse group of private and public sector industry leaders,
The first, “Furthering the Green Economy in Industrial Value Chains”, moderated by Prajna Khanna, Global Head of Sustainability at Naspers aimed to gain insights and a better understanding of the barriers and enablers for businesses to transition to greener models.
The second roundtable discussion, moderated by Shameela Soobramoney, CEO and Chief Sustainability Officer at National Business Initiative (NBI) was on the topic of “Growing small businesses from just energy transition initiatives – BRICS country successes and lesson”. The objective of this dialogue was to learn from ecosystem participants on how just energy transition initiatives can help unlock SMME potential and, in so doing, help fuel sustainable, inclusive growth among the BRICS countries.
Insights from both round table discussions are captured in two white papers to serve as a reference for future engagements. You can find them below.
Furthering the green economy in industry value chains
Growing small businesses from just energy transition initiatives
About Naspers
Established in 1915, Naspers has transformed itself to become a global consumer internet company and one of the largest technology investors in the world. Through Prosus, the group operates and invests globally in markets with long-term growth potential, building leading consumer internet companies that empower people and enrich communities. Prosus has its primary listing on Euronext Amsterdam, and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Naspers is the majority owner of Prosus.
In South Africa, Naspers is one of the foremost investors in the technology sector and is committed to building its internet and ecommerce companies. These include Takealot, Mr D Food, Superbalist, Autotrader, Property24 and PayU, in addition to Media24, South Africa’s leading print and digital media business.
Naspers has a primary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (NPN.SJ), a secondary listing on the A2X Exchange (NPN.AJ) in South Africa, and has a level 1 American Depository Receipt (ADR) programme which trades on an over-the-counter basis in the United States of America.
For more information, please visit www.naspers.com.
Naspers Labs
In 2019, Naspers Labs, a youth development programme designed to transform and launch South Africa’s unemployed youth into economic activity, was launched. Naspers Labs focuses on digital skills and training, enabling young people to pursue tech careers.
Response to COVID-19
Naspers contributed R1.5 billion of emergency aid to support the South African government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This contribution consisted of R500 million towards the Solidarity Fund and R1 billion worth of PPE sourced and distributed to South Africa’s front-line healthcare workers. In addition, Naspers contributed R6.9 million to the Nelson Mandela Foundation's EachOne FeedOne programme to support families who COVID-19 has impacted with meals for a year.