Global sustainability models are failing. They’ve been designed to showcase ethical trade and environmental responsibility, but they fundamentally misunderstand how global supply chains operate—especially the critical, unseen work at the beginning of essential value chains such as critical minerals.

For decades, these models have burdened African merchants, miners, and farmers—the backbone of global industries from cocoa to lithium—while corporations further along the chain claim the benefits. The systems celebrate end products, like sleek electric vehicles (EVs) or iPhones, while ignoring the heavy lifting at the start of the work, where it’s most difficult.

This imbalance in sustainability frameworks doesn’t just sideline African businesses. It undermines the entire premise of accountability that we want to engender amongst commercial supply chain stakeholders.

The unfair burden on the start of the supply chain

The reality of global supply chains is simple: The earliest stages, where raw materials are extracted and processed, require the most effort. African farmers, miners, and merchants are at the very heart of these early stages. They’re the ones putting in the hardest work—extracting resources, growing crops, and preparing raw materials that fuel industries around the world. But despite their essential role, they’re stuck carrying the heaviest burden. Strict regulations and sustainability requirements often hit them the hardest, even though they have the fewest resources to meet these demands.

Take cocoa farmers in Africa, for instance. Many are already working on tight margins, struggling to make enough to feed their families. Then along comes the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which demands proof that their cocoa isn’t linked to deforestation. While the goal is noble, the execution has left these farmers scrambling to provide documentation they’ve never needed before. For many, the cost of compliance is just too high, and failing to meet the standards means losing access to international buyers.

It’s not just farmers. In the mining sector, lithium—the critical ingredient for EV batteries—is dug up under tough, often dangerous conditions. The raw material is shipped overseas for refining and manufacturing, where the final product becomes a celebrated symbol of sustainability. But little thought is given to the people who made that product possible in the first place.

But instead of recognizing the environmental and social costs borne by African miners, global narratives around “green” batteries conveniently ignore this reality. The hard work is erased, and the end product—a shiny new electric vehicle—becomes the hero of the story.

Why these models don’t work

The deeper issue is that global sustainability models were never designed with supply chain realities in mind. They were built to make sense on paper, not in practice. Here’s why they fail:

1. They ignore the realities of extraction
   The first stages of the supply chain—extraction and initial processing—are treated as a liability, not a foundation. These stages are overregulated, under-supported, and painted as inherently “dirty,” while the later stages enjoy the benefits of cleaner reputations and fewer demands.
2. They push costs downstream
   Compliance costs are overwhelmingly placed on the smallest and least resourced players. Farmers, artisanal miners, and small merchants are expected to shoulder the expense of meeting global benchmarks, while corporations further up the chain avoid their fair share of responsibility.
3. They celebrate the end, not the beginning
   By the time raw materials are turned into recognizable products—like the chocolate bars we enjoy or the batteries that power electric vehicles—they’re celebrated as symbols of innovation and progress. But the reality behind those products is far less glamorous. The hard work, long hours, and sacrifices made at the start of the supply chain are often ignored. At best, they’re reduced to a footnote; at worst, they’re treated as inconvenient details in the story of sustainability.

Rebalance the equation

If sustainability is going to work—for people and the planet—we need to rethink these frameworks entirely. That means starting from the ground up, ensuring fairness across every step of the supply chain. Here’s where the change needs to happen:

1. Stop pushing the costs on producers
   Sustainability can’t come at the expense of the people doing the hardest work. Corporations that depend on African resources need to take responsibility for compliance costs. For example, chocolate companies that rely on African cocoa should be actively investing in the farmers and cooperatives that keep their supply chains running. It’s not just a moral obligation—it’s a business necessity.
2. Put money into local solutions
   The earliest stages of the supply chain need better support. This means governments, corporations, and international institutions must work together to invest in systems that help producers succeed. From building cooperatives for artisanal miners to funding training programs for sustainable farming, these investments would ease the pressure on producers while ensuring global standards can actually be met.
3. Measure what really matters
   Current sustainability metrics focus too much on quick wins and shiny results. But real progress happens when we focus on achievable, incremental improvements. Instead of setting impossible benchmarks, we need to create standards that reflect the realities of resource extraction and reward meaningful change.
4. Work together to share the load
   No single entity can fix this alone. Public-private partnerships are key to amplifying sustainability efforts without placing all the costs on producers. Companies that actively work with merchants to address issues like traceability and compliance have already shown that fair, sustainable practices are possible—especially when governments step in to support these efforts.

A fairer vision for sustainability

Sustainability should not mean shifting the burden onto the communities that sustain the world’s supply chains. African merchants, farmers, and miners are not just resource providers—they are the backbone of industries that drive global progress. They deserve recognition, support, and a fair share of the benefits.

Global sustainability models need to change—urgently. If they don’t, they’ll keep fueling inequality while claiming to promote progress.

It’s time to stop pretending that these systems are working, because they’re not. We need to build frameworks that reflect the real-world challenges of supply chains, ones that are fair, practical, and genuinely sustainable—for everyone involved.

Anu Adedoyin Adasolum is CEO of Sabi.