Africa and the corporate citizenship agenda: a discussion paper for the Kenya Mirror Committee on ISO 26000

This paper argues that the Corporate Citizenship discourse can benefit from the African context because of both the African economic system and African values and philosophies.

In terms of the economic system, the paper highlights that pre-colonial African economies functioned as self-regulated markets anchored in the principles of economic democracy:

• organisation of production and distribution in many societies had been accomplished through social relationships of kin or community obligations and counter obligations
• the same system of relation with business enterprises can be found in the Agrarian and pastoralist societies.

The paper argues that this framework resonates with to the modern concept of Corporate Citizenship. It implies that business can not survive unless it is in articulation with the societal values and operates in a conscientious manner to the expectation and aspirations of the society In terms of the value system, the paper argues that the African philosophy of ubunt provides a framework for Corporate Citizenship, as

• it emphasises that we all live and work in community
• company employees and management are seen as a community, where one looks after the interest of others
• a company is seen as part of the broader community, where the company looks after other members of the community so that it can thrive.

The paper concludes by highlighting the tension between allowing the maximisation of individual freedom of choice while at the same time addressing the corporate responsibilities that are part of any social union. The notion of corporate social responsibility must thus contribute to resolving this apparent contradiction which resides at the heart of democratic-liberalism.