Coca-Cola HBC empowers local communities in Nigeria with €1m
BY ONOME AMUGE
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC), the parent company of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd, has announced a €1 million donation to support empowerment and promote social impact programmes across local communities in the second largest Coca Cola market in the sub-Saharan region.
According to the international consumer packaged goods firm, the €1 million fund will be deployed to support four key initiatives, including the federal government’s drive towards becoming Open Defecation Free (ODF) by 2025, upskilling underserved youths and women in high demand skills, and community recycling initiatives.
Dwelling further on the implementation of the donation, the company said that partners for the fund have been selected based on a rigorous due diligence process and their track record, as well as their ability to deliver value and make an impact in the communities.
Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO, Coca-Cola HBC, who made the donation on behalf of the Coca-Cola HBC at a recent stakeholder reception in Lagos, emphasised that the funds will be directed towards empowering youth and women as well as ensuring the provision of water and sanitary facilities in local communities across the country.
Bogdanovic also said that the donation, alongside the company’s ongoing sustainability initiatives, underlines its commitment to improving the lives of host communities as well as helping to drive growth for the Nigerian economy and enable better living conditions for local communities.
Commenting on the company’s legacy of over 70 years in Nigeria, the CEO said, “Our roots are in Nigeria and its spirit still runs right through our business today. That’s why we have been a proud contributor to the growth of the Nigerian economy throughout our history.”
He also pointed out that the company has in the last 10 years invested well over €1 billion in its Nigeria operations, which has supported the expansion of production capacity, building of modern warehouses, investment in eco-friendly logistics and above all, the creation of jobs for young Nigerians across the value chain.
“Today, we, along with The Coca-Cola Company, support over 58,000 jobs annually in the value chain in the country,” Bogdanovic said.