ESG assurance and dividends: evidence from 18 countries in Africa
ESG assurance and dividends: evidence from 18 countries in Africa
This study examines the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) assurance on a firm's dividend payout policies within the unique African context. Using a staggered difference-in-differences (DiD) model, this study examines how voluntary third-party assurance of ESG reports influences firms' dividend payout policies compared to those without assurance. This study utilises a panel data set comprising a sample of 738 listed African firms across 18 African countries, yielding 8645 firm-year observations. Based on the stakeholder and agency theories, we find that after implementing ESG assurance, assured firms increase their dividend payout policies compared to non-assured firms. The mining and metals industry sectors lead with the highest ESG assurance. ESG-assured firms consistently report high dividend payouts compared to non-assured firms. Furthermore, our results suggest that following ESG assurance, firms increase dividend payout driven by reduced information asymmetry. This result builds upon existing studies, primarily focusing on the impact of ESG on firm decision-making and performance. Accounting professionals, researchers, policymakers, business executives and investors would find this study insightful in understanding how ESG assurance impacts firm dividend policies.
Africa's environment, ESG assurance, dividends, environmental, social governance (ESG)
Kogi, Samuel Karanja
ad3c633c-142f-4820-8ad7-f40c7c95f39e
Cao, June
af0d62ff-d54c-412f-a152-cc04c63c7290
Kogi, Samuel Karanja
ad3c633c-142f-4820-8ad7-f40c7c95f39e
Cao, June
af0d62ff-d54c-412f-a152-cc04c63c7290
Kogi, Samuel Karanja and Cao, June
(2026)
ESG assurance and dividends: evidence from 18 countries in Africa.
Business Strategy and the Environment.
(doi:10.1002/bse.70523).
Abstract
This study examines the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) assurance on a firm's dividend payout policies within the unique African context. Using a staggered difference-in-differences (DiD) model, this study examines how voluntary third-party assurance of ESG reports influences firms' dividend payout policies compared to those without assurance. This study utilises a panel data set comprising a sample of 738 listed African firms across 18 African countries, yielding 8645 firm-year observations. Based on the stakeholder and agency theories, we find that after implementing ESG assurance, assured firms increase their dividend payout policies compared to non-assured firms. The mining and metals industry sectors lead with the highest ESG assurance. ESG-assured firms consistently report high dividend payouts compared to non-assured firms. Furthermore, our results suggest that following ESG assurance, firms increase dividend payout driven by reduced information asymmetry. This result builds upon existing studies, primarily focusing on the impact of ESG on firm decision-making and performance. Accounting professionals, researchers, policymakers, business executives and investors would find this study insightful in understanding how ESG assurance impacts firm dividend policies.
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Bus Strat Env - 2026 - Kogi - ESG Assurance and Dividends Evidence From 18 Countries in Africa
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e-pub ahead of print date: 2 January 2026
Keywords:
Africa's environment, ESG assurance, dividends, environmental, social governance (ESG)
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Local EPrints ID: 508764
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508764
ISSN: 0964-4733
PURE UUID: 02493b7a-e75d-40c4-a0ee-897ded4cd233
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Date deposited: 03 Feb 2026 17:37
Last modified: 04 Feb 2026 03:15
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Author:
Samuel Karanja Kogi
Author:
June Cao
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