Nestle Nigeria emerges best in food security, best in circular economy at 2024 SERAS Awards
Onome Amuge
Nestle Nigeria has been awarded the “Best Company in Food Security” for the third consecutive year at the 18th Africa Sustainability Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS).
The recognition acknowledges Nestle’s significant role in driving responsible local sourcing, farmer capacity building, grain quality improvement, dairy value chain development, and the provision of sustainable, affordable nutrition through its ground-breaking research and innovation.
In addition, Nestlé Nigeria received the award for Best in Circular Economy at the SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards 2024, marking a milestone as the first company in Nigeria to achieve circularity in its production value chain. This includes the incorporation of 50 percent recycled PET (rPET) in the packaging of its premium water brand, Nestlé Pure Life. The award also recognises Nestlé Nigeria’s achievement of 100 percent plastics neutrality by recovering every tonne of plastic it introduces into the market for recycling.
The Africa Sustainability Awards is the second longest-running global sustainability awards platform and the oldest in Africa. The awards panel, composed of nine expert judges with a rich background in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, follows a rigorous, independent process to identify genuine sustainability impacts.
Receiving the awards on behalf of Nestle Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, corporate communications, public affairs and sustainability Llad at Nestle Nigeria thanked the conveners and the distinguished judges of the SERAS awards for acknowledging the organisation’s leadership in Food Security and Circular Economy.
“Winning the Best in Food Security award for the third consecutive year means a lot to us as the Good Food, Good Life Company. We remain committed to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that everyone has access to sustainable nutritious food,” she stated.
Uwadoka further emphasised the importance of the Best in Circular Economy award, stating, “As articulated by our Managing Director, Wassim Elhusseini, we could not be prouder! Nestlé is the first company in Nigeria to incorporate 50% recycled PET in beverage packaging. This journey, which began in 2018, is a success story of collaboration across multiple stakeholders and teams.
“We celebrate every team member and partner, including ALEF Recycling and all institutions that contributed to this achievement. Let us continue to work together to inspire, innovate, and lead the way in protecting our planet for future generations.”
Nestle Nigeria was also nominated as a finalist in four SERAS categories including “Best in Gender & Equality/Women Empowerment,” recognizing its impact on women’s inclusion in the agricultural value chain and distribution network through the Nestlé Rural Women Empowerment Project; “Best in Climate Action,” for its efforts in reducing carbon footprint through energy savings, water reduction, and packaging innovation; along with “Best in Food Security” and “Best in Circular Economy.”
Ken Egbas, founder of SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards remarked, “Nestle’s impactful initiatives and unwavering dedication to sustainability have positioned the organisation among the finalists for these prestigious accolades. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional work and contributions the team has made towards social and environmental sustainability in the African community.”