{
  "id": 12746123,
  "title": "African leaders urged to balance investment with human rights",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/african-leaders-urged-to-balance-investment-with-human-rights-12746123",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T00:40:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/african-leaders-urged-to-balance-investment-with-human-rights/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "United Nations expert Prof. Damilola Olawuyi urged African leaders to balance economic investment with human rights at the 5th Africa Forum on Business and Human Rights in Dakar, Senegal. He emphasized that while trade and foreign investment are crucial for Africa's economic growth and development, they should not compromise human rights and environmental sustainability. Olawuyi highlighted the need for innovative, homegrown solutions that simultaneously advance trade and investments while protecting human rights and the environment. He stressed that economic progress should not come at the cost of human rights and the environment. A win for businesses and human rights is a mutually beneficial outcome, as it mitigates reputational and regulatory risks, strengthens host community support, and fosters a motivated workforce. Additionally, rapid technological advancements, like the growth of data centers and the digital economy, are creating new environmental pressures. Olawuyi called for governments, investors, and businesses to incorporate human rights due diligence into investment decisions and planning. He also stressed the importance of investing in local capacity, clean-energy innovators, national human rights institutions, higher education, the media, civil society organizations, Indigenous groups, and human rights defenders. Such investments would bolster public awareness, promote peace, and drive sustainable economic growth.",
  "summary": "UN expert and SAN, Prof. Damilola Olawuyi, has urged African leaders to balance foreign investment with human rights to ensure sustainable development. Read More: https://punchng.com/african-leaders-urged-to-balance-investment-with-human-rights/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "African leaders urged to balance investment with human rights",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/african-leaders-urged-to-balance-investment-with-human-rights",
        "published": "2026-10-08T00:32:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}