Complaints and Whistleblowing Policy
EAIF’s purpose is to provide capital to help business grow stronger African economies. EAIF’s core objective is to contribute to alleviating poverty through stimulating economic development. EAIF is committed to a culture of high corporate compliance and high ethical behaviour. EAIF expects the same high corporate compliance and high ethical behaviour from its investment partners, the companies in which its capital is invested and from anyone acting on behalf of EAIF.
Policy Objective
EAIF views any form of malpractice as extremely serious.
Malpractice for the purpose of this policy includes but is not limited to:
- bribery and corruption;
- bullying;
- conduct likely to damage EAIF’s reputation;
- contravention of environmental regulations;
- criminal activity or wrongdoing;
- forced labour or slavery;
- child labour;
- human trafficking;
- drugs and or alcohol in the workplace;
- failure to comply with any legal or professional obligations or regulatory requirements;
- financial fraud or mismanagement;
- fraud or theft;
- health and safety;
- negligence;
- racial harassment or discrimination;
- sexual harassment or discrimination;
- unauthorised disclosure of confidential information;
- unethical behaviour or practice; and
- the deliberate concealment of any of the above matters.
Reporting Procedures
If you become aware of a malpractice within EAIF or its fund manager Ninety One or within a company in which EAIF has invested or by anyone acting on behalf of EAIF you are strongly encouraged to report such activity directly to PIDG via https://www.pidg.org/contact-us/ or email directly to the PIDG Chief Risk Officer at compliance@pidg.org.
Any complaint or allegation of malpractice will be investigated in an appropriate and timely manner and in accordance with the PIDG Complaints and Whistleblowing Operating Policy which can be found on pidg.org.
EAIF will seek to protect the confidentiality of the whistle-blower. We do not tolerate harassment or victimisation of any whistle-blower and will take appropriate action to protect anyone raising a concern in good faith.
SAFECALL
If you do not wish to contact PIDG directly then you can call or email an independent company called Safecall on their confidential reporting helpline on +44 191 516 7764 or email whistleblowingeaif@safecall.co.uk.
The Safecall reporting helpline is intended for use in particular where you do not wish, for whatever reason, to liaise directly with someone within the company. Safecall provide an anonymous, independent, external reporting line where you can raise your compliance concerns and be assured they will be fully addressed. Each call is treated in complete confidence by trained Safecall staff who will summarise the content of the call and send a report to the PIDG Chief Risk Officer. Safecall will not disclose your name if you wish to remain anonymous.
You can contact Safecall at any time on +44 191 516 7764 and ask to speak to someone in your preferred language.
You can email Safecall on whistleblowingeaif@safecall.co.uk or make a report through the website www.safecall.co.uk/reports.
Review and changes to this Policy
EAIF will review this Policy regularly and will have regard to any changes to the PIDG requirements, applicable laws, complaints, reports and recommendations made regarding compliance with this Policy, including investigations undertaken and any potential or actual breaches identified.
The Policy may only be amended with the approval of the EAIF Board and any amendments will take effect when the amended Policy is published on EAIF’s website.
If you have any queries in relation to this policy, please contact the PIDG Chief Risk Officer at compliance@pidg.org.