MK-Africa has a strong commitment to responsible business practices and recognizes the importance of balancing the interests of all our key stakeholders. We reaffirm our continued support of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) principles on human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption and are committed to making the UNGC and its principles part of our daily operations by engaging in collaborative projects, which advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

MK-Africa offers consultancy services in sustainability training, strategy development and reporting to companies that are looking to create measurable social, economic and environmental impact. We train, mentor and support young people to innovate and set up social enterprises based on the SDGs and sustainable business practices.

As we continue to grow, we commit to transparency and sharing our Communication on Progress (COP) to our stakeholders using our primary channels of communication and through the UNGC website. This report covers the period between 2019 and 2020.

Yours Sincerely,
Muthoni Kanyana, CEO.

MK-Africa is committed to an injury-free and illness-free workplace that is operated in an environmentally sound manner in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.

In 2020, as our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we implemented a work from home policy which continues to be in effect. The policy has been designed in response to the current self-quarantine imposed by the Government of Kenya, which makes sure that working from home is beneficial to our employees and company.

MK-Africa provided laptops and phone lines to our employees to enable remote working. We embrace the diversity of people and ideas and take into consideration all our employees’ opinions and ideas that could improve the company and also protect them from workplace harassment, including physical, verbal, sexual, or psychological harassment, abuse, or threats.

UNGC PRINCIPLES ADDRESSED:
Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights.
Principle 2: Make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.

MK–Africa is a woman-owned SME with more than half women staff. It is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment opportunities are available regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability or other legally protected status. This principle applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruiting, hiring, training, work assignment, promotion, transfer, termination, and wage and salary administration.

MK-Africa does not participate in any form of forced or bonded labor. We ensure employees sign their employment contracts and understand the policies and practices governing the conduct of the business. We comply with minimum wage standards by providing allowances to our interns and attachés to cater for their expenses. We also ensure that employment-related decisions are based on relevant and objective criteria.

UNGC PRINCIPLES ADDRESSED:
• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: The elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labor;
• Principle 6: The elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

MK-Africa through the #MyLittleBigThing initiative, teaches on Sustainability and SDGs. Since 2017, we have run the #MyLittleBigThing SDGs Innovation Challenge, whereby young people develop ideas that are solutions to Africa’s development challenges.

Owing to the COVID-19 global pandemic, we ran the #MyLittleBigThing 2020 Challenge online. This included online programs, trainings and events such as the online award ceremony, GRIR Certified Sustainability training programs, Human-Centered Design Thinking and Entrepreneurship, Impact Creation as well as several webinars.

In 2021, the #MyLittleBigThing SDGs Challenge will be looking to cover the ‘Green Agenda’ or SDGs 12 – 15, as we celebrate 5 years since the first #MLBT Youth SDGs Challenge. We are looking to plant at least 12,000 trees with the help of ambassadors to rally members within their communities to plant trees and oversee the growing process. Our clients have an opportunity to be part of the SDGs agenda by supporting the #MLBT initiative.

UNGC PRINCIPLES ADDRESSED:
• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges.
• Principle 8: Undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility.

MK-Africa is committed to conducting its business ethically and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act and similar laws that prohibit improper payments to obtain a business advantage. We strictly prohibit bribery or other improper payments in any of its business operations. This prohibition applies to all business activities whether involving government officials or other commercial enterprises. A bribe or other improper payment to secure a business advantage is never acceptable and can expose individuals and MK-Africa to possible criminal prosecution, reputational harm, or other serious consequences.

We have both an Anti-Corruption policy and a Code of Business Ethics which all staff members are required to read and sign upon joining the organization. Each officer and employee of MK-Africa has a personal responsibility and obligation to conduct MK-Africa’s business activities ethically and in compliance with all applicable laws. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. MK-Africa has developed a comprehensive program for implementing these policies through appropriate guidance, training, investigation, and oversight. In the reporting period, we inducted 2 new staff members who read and confirmed understanding of both policies. There were no reported cases of violation of the policies in this period.

UNGC PRINCIPLE ADDRESSED:
• Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery.