Advancing business and human rights law and practice in Africa: Summary and options for policymakers

As demonstrated by the different chapters of this book, without a strong human rights perspective, business activities and transnational investments risk exacerbating human rights violations, environmental pollution, land grabs, gender-based marginalization, and forced displacements amongst others, across Africa. Considering the increasing manifestations of direct and indirect human rights violations resulting from transnational investment activities and operations across Africa, comprehensive and wide-ranging responses are required. However, as shown in the case studies in this book, sectoral and piecemeal efforts on business and human rights have been prevalent in many African countries. This has not fostered a holistic consideration of the guiding principles of mainstreaming human rights norms into all aspects of development planning across Africa in order to better anticipate and address human rights risks. Furthermore, clear operational guidelines are required to simplify what responsible corporations operating in Africa must do to anticipate and address human rights risks. This chapter discusses the need for greater coherence in the development and implementation of national action plans and regulation on business and human rights in Africa. It examines the guiding principles of mainstreaming human rights standards and considerations into all aspects of development planning and decision making, in order to effectively anticipate and address direct and indirect human rights impacts of economic activities. It discusses the need for coherent and holistic legal responses; clear and comprehensive legislation; institutional coordination; as well as comprehensive human rights due diligence by business enterprises operating in Africa in order to better anticipate and manage BHR risks.