B Lab Africa Unveils Inaugural 2025 Annual Report: Certified B Corps Surge 25% as Purpose-Driven Business Gains Momentum Across the Continent

NAIROBI, Kenya – 15 April 2026 – As Africa grapples with intersecting challenges of climate change, youth unemployment, and economic transformation, a quiet revolution is taking shape in its boardrooms. B Lab Africa, the nonprofit steward of the globally recognized B Corp certification on the continent, today launched its 2025 Annual Report – the organization’s first dedicated deep dive into the social and environmental performance of Certified B Corporations across Africa.

The report paints an optimistic picture of momentum. Certified B Corps – businesses that meet rigorous standards across governance, worker treatment, community impact, environmental practices, and customer relations – have grown by 25% in just one year. The community now exceeds 90 strong, spanning sectors from agribusiness and renewable energy to fintech and manufacturing. This expansion reflects what B Lab Africa CEO Lucy Muigai describes as a maturing movement.

“This report proves that the B Corp movement is no longer a niche concept in Africa; it is becoming a standard for excellence,” said Muigai. “Our 2025 report serves as both a celebration of our progress and a call to action for more businesses to join the movement.”

Beyond the headline growth numbers, the report details several strategic milestones that are accelerating impact at scale:

• Launch of the Resilient Sustainable Business (RSB) Program: Designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – the backbone of African economies – the RSB program equips businesses with practical tools, training, and mentorship to embed sustainability into their core operations. It aims to build resilience against economic shocks while driving measurable social and environmental outcomes.
• Geographic Expansion: B Lab Africa has extended its footprint into South Africa and Mauritius, broadening access to certification support, impact measurement tools, and peer networks in key economic hubs. This move is expected to unlock new opportunities for businesses in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
• Broader Impact Ecosystem: Complementing the certified community, more than 7,600 companies across Africa are already using B Lab’s free tools – including the B Impact Assessment and SDG Action Manager – to measure and improve their performance. This wider network signals that the principles of purpose-driven business are gaining traction far beyond the certified elite.

The report arrives at a pivotal time. Africa’s private sector is increasingly viewed as a critical partner in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with B Corps demonstrating that high-impact business models can thrive even in emerging markets. Certified companies are not only reducing their environmental footprints and improving worker conditions but are also contributing to job creation, local supply chains, and community development at rates that often outpace traditional models.

B Lab Africa’s global parent network now includes over 10,000 B Corps in 105 countries and 163 industries. On the continent, the organization continues to champion economic systems change by setting standards, influencing policy, and providing accessible tools that help businesses turn good intentions into verifiable impact.

The full 2025 Annual Report is publicly available and can be explored in detail at: https://blabafrica.infogram.com/b-lab-africa-2025-annual-report-1h7v4pdvqyyn84k

Why This Matters for Africa As the continent’s population surges toward 2.5 billion by 2050, the demand for inclusive, sustainable growth has never been greater. The rise of Certified B Corps signals a generational shift: African entrepreneurs are choosing to lead with purpose, proving that profitability and positive impact are not mutually exclusive. From reforestation initiatives in East Africa to circular economy startups in West Africa, these businesses are quietly rewriting the rules of commerce.

B Lab Africa’s CEO Muigai and the broader leadership team view the 2025 report not as an endpoint, but as a foundation for even greater ambition. With new B Lab Standards (V2) now open for certification submissions globally, the bar for excellence is rising – and African businesses appear ready to meet it.

About B Lab Africa: B Lab Africa is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. As part of the global B Lab network, it creates standards, policies, and tools that enable businesses to become a force for good. To date, its tools have reached over 7,600 companies in Africa, while the certified B Corp community continues to expand rapidly.