Nomsa Nkomo
Sustainability Executive
Johannesburg
Summary
Dynamic, solutions-oriented leader with over 20 years of executive experience in Telecoms, Mining, Finance, and Banking. Recently led Group Sustainability at MTN, overseeing ESG initiatives across 18 countries in Africa and the Middle East, with a focus on water security, waste reduction strategies, and comprehensive sustainability reporting, including embedding ESG consideration in procurement contracts. Expertise in climate change governance and strategy development has driven alignment between business objectives and societal impact while fostering influential collaborations at national and international levels. Recognized for contributions to industry awards and publications; committed to advancing sustainability and integrated reporting through transformative efforts with SAICA, enhancing ESG content alignment for educational institutions.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Head: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting
SAICA
05.2023 - Current
- I lead initiatives to integrate sustainability into the accountancy profession, ensuring adherence to international reporting standards, the International Federation of Accountancy (IFAC). Additionally, I support the development of training materials to support sustainability education and foster innovative practices and integrated thinking that enhance the organization’s value proposition for members, trainees and industries. My efforts contribute significantly to advancing quality and trust in sustainability and integrated reporting and drive impactful initiatives that resonate with industry needs. Including collaborating closely with stakeholders and government to ensure alignment with international standards and local regulations, driving industry-wide adoption & university alignment.
- Ensuring regulatory adoption of sustainability reporting disclosures for commercial sustainability and national research related to the business case for sustainability and global baseline roadmap alignment.
- Better consideration of environmental facets for innovative energy solutions and water consumption.
- Entrenching sustainable finance for members as a revenue growth product in banking & engaging eco-conscious clients and banking footprint in assessing climate-related risks and credit rating to global policies.
- Part of G20 environment, climate and sustainability working group, including energy transition and policy.
Project Director: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting/Thinking
SAICA
02.2023 - 04.2025
- Keeping members abreast of the latest developments in sustainability and integrated reporting, whilst understanding member needs and global movements within the corporate reporting. Collaborating with global players, including regulators to influence ESG standards setters, advocacy, and shaping capacity building, with integrated thinking. Giving guidance in materiality assessments and sustainability disclosure standards alignment for high quality and comparable reporting, including net zero frameworks and approaches. Integral in shaping the role of accountants in sustainability and in tackling climate change and the importance of collaboration in responding to business changes embedding ESG. Working with local regulators - JSE, CIPC and other stakeholders to ascertain SA’s position on International Sustainability Standards Boards (ISSB) adoption, localisation and adoption. Responsible for strategic oversight on capacity building on the JSE, IFRS ISSB, GRI and ESRS Standards.
- Launched SAICA’s pre-COP28 inaugural climate change conference aimed at assessing local progress and challenges, including the 2nd Climate change conference in 2024; sharing insights in meeting the NDC’s including carbon tax, assurance, renewables, net zero and policy shifts- Lead planner 2024 Climate Change conference highlights; 2023 conference - SAICA hosts inaugural Climate Change Conference (bizcommunity.com)
- Lead in corporate reporting engagements for C-suites, focused on embedding ESG strategy, materiality assessment, identifying gaps and the role of ISSB/GRI disclosures and assurance in accessing finance. Partnered with AngloGold, Anglo American, PCC, Vodacom, Big4 firms and the law fraternity.
- Advisor on sustainability operational implementation on KPIs including water, net zero and embedding sustainability elements in decision making. Material contributor in developing sustainability and IR guides.
- Advocate for TNFD business integration. Coaching & sustainability reporting & climate change upskilling.
Snr Manager: Group Sustainability
MTN GROUP
07.2021 - 01.2023
- Digital access plan with American Tower Corporation (ATC) a partnership for “Digital Skills for Digital Jobs”.
- Developed the 1st climate change TCFD-aligned report and improvement disclosure roadmap for SBTi.
- Development and implementation of Sustainability strategies, ESG policies and materiality assessment.
- Managed and strengthened MTN’s Sustainability - ESG performance and approaches across the Group.
- Engaged with Group internal stakeholders and all markets to align on ESG Group strategy initiatives and on proactive risk management plans related to ESG advancement & customer enablement/advocacy drives.
- Developed OPCOs Sustainability plan, and target setting, also developed and supported ESG market leads.
- Supported establishing and embedding Sustainability KPIs, climate change Board visibility and action.
- Reinforced the enhancement of ESG continuous assurance process, with Group Internal Assurance.
- Implemented and strengthened ESG performance across ESG rankers/raters through gap assessments, cross-functional engagements, to form performance tracking & improvement plans - GRI, SASB, WBCSD.
- Responded to Investor ESG-related queries and aligned to Group Investor Relations disclosures.
- Led the water and waste management, awareness and setting the baseline across the Group’s markets.
- Supported MTN’s Human and Digital Human rights approach, policy, toolkit, playbook, impact assessment.
- Close collaboration with Group Risk on strengthening the ESG /insurance risk register & mitigation plans.
- Ensured MTN’s ESG communication, plus media, events, leveraging AI for access and quality reporting.
- Development, implementation, and monitoring of MTN’s strategic partnerships and programs.
- Responsible for ESG regulatory scan, supplier engagement and procurement inclusive of ESG principles, plus use of Ecovadis for supply chain & product life cycle assessment. ESG governance committee packs.
- Building sustainable societies through inclusive strategy for economic transformation and shared value.
- Ensure environmental evaluation & considerations of net zero investments and socio-economic inclusion.
- Corporate social and ethical (SEC) behaviour monitoring & reporting, including Exco ESG focused reports.
- Responsible for the development of the SDG prioritisation tool to align to MTN business strategy, impact potential and risk management. It was first utilised and published in MTNs 2022 Sustainability report.
- Enhanced consideration of environmental aspects in the specifications for infrastructure development, reduce energy and carbon emissions intensity, including implementation of electricity from renewable sources, support in smart agriculture, smart mining, & structure planning matrix for climate impact response in regions.
CONSULTANT
BULLION GATES
01.2019 - 06.2021
- Create impact: telecoms opportunity – Africa & ME
- CLIENTS: Wadhwani Foundation, Yeyona Advisory, Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA)
POLICY MANAGER SOUTH AFRICA
ACCA
01.2015 - 04.2019
- Appointed in SA’s National Regulatory Committees (SARS, DTI) and championed the implementation of policy, partnered events and advocacy strategies. Interpreting and implementing compliance obligations, risk matrix and heading market intelligence and reporting whilst mapping integrated communication strategies and closing growth strategy. Monitoring and reporting to executive management, Committees, the Board. Ensuring the growth of ACCA SA through thought leadership and policy positioning with industry regulators, government, embassies & parliament. Led governance oversight and sustainability functions in SSA and advising China office on sustainability reporting. Assign suitable candidates per performance measures & coaching to grow efficient teams.
- Sustainability /SED/ Integrated Reporting / Shared Value
- Managed the business growth and sustainability reporting portfolio for the Sub-Saharan region while developing and implementing sustainability and shared value strategies and liaise with industry/government.
- Formulated and ensured alignment of the SSA team’s KPI targets to the sustainability policy, raised awareness of environmental - socio effects, and planned economic initiatives to protect public value.
- Climate change activism and recommendations by the Task Force on Climate Change related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) championed by the accountancy industry. Responsible for country briefing intelligence.
- Lead social cities transformation strategies and plans for economic inclusion, diversity.
- Governance / Regulatory Compliance / Risk
- Effective shareholder’s Meeting (AGM), Board and Governance Committee’s administration & process.
- Monitored and advised regarding adherence to applicable legislation, rules, and policies and enhance risk control effectiveness. Whilst leading crisis management preparedness and not be reactive to laws.
- Track new compliance requirements & close regulatory constraints and communicate accordingly.
- Close collaborations with the IFC on improving corporate governance practices in ACCA African markets.
- Communications /Advocacy & Stakeholder Management
- Oversaw the drafting of relevant reports, research papers, and technical submissions to influence, solicit business insight, contribute to public policy affairs, and position the brand as thought leaders with national regulators & reinforced industry collaboration. Ensured SA’s voice at HQ/global and sustainability reports.
- Strengthened member advocacy by leveraging AI tools and ESG training across the Africa-China markets.
SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
AFRICAN BANK
08.2013 - 12.2014
- Guided the formulation of sustainability and SEC policies and drove B-BBEE reforms, evaluation and storing of captured data and its cost-effective dissemination. Prepared sustainability and integrated reports for the Group.
- Developed and executed sustainability audits and liaised with external auditing firms for CDP.
- Led activation plans for environmental impact programs and partnered with government & industry.
- Benchmark global environmental practises, define environmental strategy, plans & projects/campaigns.
- Demonstrated King IV and Company’s Act proficiency in sustainability, integrated reporting, and ethics gap analysis.
- Drove compliance with the instituted reporting requirements & transformation/SED plans.
- Articulated and influenced policies in anti-corruption and implementation strategies in alignment with the Company’s Act 71 of 2008 remit. Also, developed roles and responsibilities for the committee.
- Worked with assigned business units to develop risk matrix and sustainability-related opportunities.
- Prepared reporting frameworks presented the socio-economic, environmental, and corporate governance (ESG) data to the, GRI, JSE SRI, Goldman Sachs, RobecoSAM and DJSI reporting.
- Developed consumer education, advocacy programs, acknowledging the King Report recommendations.
INVESTOR RELATIONS & SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
ABSA GROUP
02.2006 - 11.2012
- Align the sustainability reporting framework with Absa Group and Barclay’s reporting requirements by liaising with all stakeholders and identify the Group’s risks and opportunities for business growth.
- Bank’s 1st Sustainability assurance project manager and provided continual sustainability education.
- SENS, boilerplate, departmental report oversight for annual report & business continuity/compliance.
- Conceptualized, developed and managed Absa’s Sustainability strategy, policies and activation plans, award-winning
- Integrated and Sustainability Report and executive reports for environmental treaties.
- Global warming impact on banking solutions and provided insights using technology into environmental intelligence home insurance. Managed governance in GIS and employee commute GIS implementation.
GEOLOGY, GIS & REMOTE SENSING
MINERALS MINING SUMMARY
03.2001 - 01.2006
- Rio Tinto Mining & Exploration, Falconbridge Noranda & VSA Earth – Family Relocated
- Experience in business ethics, developed GIS databases and analysis of remote sensing imagery, as well as interpreting information for new mining operations for sustainable and responsible mining practices.
- Understanding regulatory requirements – environmental laws and community relations in mining areas.
- Initiated the first remote sensing/ GIS department for geological mapping and geohydrological surveys.
Education
Executive Development Programe - Business
Wits Business School
Johannesburg, South Africa 08.2025 - Current
POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MINING ENGINEERING - Mining Engineering
Witwatersrand University (Wits)
12.2009
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN GIS/REMOTE SENSING & GEOLOGY - Mining
Fort Hare University
12.2001
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY - Mining
Fort Hare University
12.2000
Skills
Collaborative stakeholder relations
Certification
Professional Certification: CSAP (Accountability Certified Sustainability Assurance Practitioner), 2010-01-01
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with SAICA Academy team in the development of Sustainability business modules.
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop project initiatives tracking spreadsheets.
- Documented and resolved decoding sustainability for accountants which led to sustainability visibility, member interest and organizational and integration.
- Achieved global partnerships through effectively helping with sustainability awareness and advocacy.
Career Experience
- Head: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting, SAICA, 2025-05-01, Present
- Project Director: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting/Thinking, SAICA, 2023-02-01, 2025-04-01
- Snr Manager: Group Sustainability, MTN GROUP, 2021-07-01, 2023-01-01
- Consultant, BULLION GATES, 2019-01-01, 2021-06-01
- Policy Manager South Africa, ACCA, 2015-01-01, 2019-04-01
- Sustainability Officer, AFRICAN BANK, 2013-08-01, 2014-12-01
- Investor Relations & Sustainability Reporting, ABSA GROUP, 2006-02-01, 2012-11-01
- Minerals Mining Summary: Geology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Rio Tinto Mining & Exploration, Falconbridge Noranda & VSA Earth, 2001-03-01, 2006-01-01
Committee Memberships
- Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA), 2023
- SAICA Sustainability Technical Committee (STC), 2023; Chairperson of the SAICA Net Zero Sub-Committee f2025,
- Chartered Accountants Worldwide (CAW) Sustainability Taskforce, 2023
- Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) Sustainability and Net Zero Working Group, 2023
- Accounting for Sustainability (A4S), 2023
- Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) Africa, 2015
- Independent Regulatory Body of Auditors (IRBA) Sustainability Standing Committee, 2023
- SA CFO Forum (SAICA) ESG Committee, 2023; Observer of the SAICA SA CFO Forum f2023,
- SA Banking Association (BASA) Sustainable Finance Initiative, 2024
- ACCA Environmental & Sustainability Group, 2015
Awards
- Developed the published three guides on sustainability disclosures and materiality, 2024-02-15
- Lead and co-author of MTN's 1st TCFD-aligned climate report - 2022
- SAICA lead to the launch the global IFRS ISSB Standards in South Africa, 2023-07-01
- MTN 2020: FTSE JSE top 30 ESG award, 2020-01-01
- MTN CDP rating improvement moving from C to B– in 2021, 2021-01-01
Additional Information
Representing SAICA at Africa's dialogue on ISSB adoption roadmaps - Mauritius, 2024-04
Africa representative at Global Accounting Alliance - London, 2024-06
Panelist on Sustainability Reporting at 2024 ESG Africa - Johannesburg, 2024-09
SAICA ISSB Disclosure Representative - Nairobi, 2025-02
Panelist on BUSA Sustainable Progress: Climate conference - Johannesburg, 2025-05
Facilitator on Why Sustainability Matters for Africa at PAFA's Sustainability Week, 2025-11
Timeline
Executive Development Programe - Business
Wits Business School
08.2025 - Current
Head: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting
SAICA
05.2023 - Current
Project Director: Sustainability and Integrated Reporting/Thinking
SAICA
02.2023 - 04.2025
Snr Manager: Group Sustainability
MTN GROUP
07.2021 - 01.2023
CONSULTANT
BULLION GATES
01.2019 - 06.2021
POLICY MANAGER SOUTH AFRICA
ACCA
01.2015 - 04.2019
SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER
AFRICAN BANK
08.2013 - 12.2014
INVESTOR RELATIONS & SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING
ABSA GROUP
02.2006 - 11.2012
GEOLOGY, GIS & REMOTE SENSING
MINERALS MINING SUMMARY
03.2001 - 01.2006
POST-GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN MINING ENGINEERING - Mining Engineering
Witwatersrand University (Wits)
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE HONOURS IN GIS/REMOTE SENSING & GEOLOGY - Mining
Fort Hare University
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN GEOLOGY - Mining
Fort Hare University