– 28 September 2012 Embargoed until midnight SAST 27 September 2012 –

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, 28 September 2012 – How much investment in Africa today proactively integrates environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors? A new research project has been launched today to find answers by mapping the marketplace for sustainable investment in Africa across all asset classes. The first-ever pan-African report will be released mid-December 2012.

The AfricaSIF.org Marketplace Trends 2012 Report Project is led by the all-volunteer AfricaSIF.org (Africa Sustainable Investment Forum) team based in Mauritius, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, USA and the UK. Project partners include major firms active in the investment value chain in Africa, namely the Government Employees Pension Fund of South Africa, Investec Asset Management, Mergence Investment Managers, Old Mutual Investment Group South Africa, MSCI, Bloomberg, Frost & Sullivan, RisCura, and SinCo.

"GEPF is delighted to partner with AfricaSIF.org and other project partners in the Marketplace Trends 2012 report,” said Adrian Bertrand, ESG Manager. “We welcome this research and are confident that it will add a fresh African perspective when surveying global trends in sustainable investment,” he added.

“This evidence-based research of investment trends put into the public domain will help all stakeholders figure out “where to from here” for sustainable development in Africa,” said Graham Sinclair, President of AfricaSIF.org. “Through this project, AfricaSIF.org is scaling up the awareness, increasing technical skills, and advocating for sustainable investment in Africa.”

According to IFC research in 2011, the investment market in Africa using self-described ESG policies has over US$125 billion in assets under management, making Africa a significant market for ESG in investment practice. AfricaSIF.org defines "sustainable investment" in the report as: "an approach to investment in any asset class in Africa where environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are proactively integrated at any stage of the investment life cycle."

More than 500 investment managers globally who invest in Africa across any asset class will be canvassed through surveys and interviews. Investment managers who participate qualify for an invitation-only briefing adjacent to the official launch of the report in December. The online research consultation is scheduled to close on 13 October 2012. All respondents will be acknowledged in the report. On completion of the online survey's 25 questions, respondents may view the real-time aggregated responses to date.

Future potential project partners in Africa are invited to connect with the project. In keeping with AfricaSIF.org’s transparent and inclusive approach, information on the project is available here. Investment managers in Africa are invited to complete the online survey here.