Child Rights and Business in Africa: Advancing Corporate Accountability and Policy Action for Sustainable Impact (2025)

The report analyses how businesses in Zambia, Ethiopia, and Côte d’Ivoire impact children’s rights, using the Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBP) and UN General Comment No. 16 as guiding frameworks. It highlights progress, such as Zambia’s legal reforms and Ethiopia’s efforts to curb child labour, while noting persistent gaps like fragmented laws, weak enforcement, and limited corporate accountability. Common challenges include informal employment risks, lack of child consultation, and inadequate integration of child protection into business practices. Regional bodies like the African Union and ACERWC offer tools and advocacy opportunities to strengthen protections, but stronger enforcement and business awareness are critical. The report calls for coordinated action among governments, businesses, and civil society to ensure economic growth does not compromise children’s rights.