For the third consecutive year, Nestle Nigeria was recognised as the Best Company in Food Security at the 18th Africa Sustainability Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS).

This award highlights the company’s significant contributions to responsible local sourcing, farmer capacity building, grain quality improvement, dairy value chain development and providing sustainable affordable nutrition through 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% recycled PET (rPET) in the packaging of its premium water brand, Nestlé Pure Life. The award also recognises Nestlé Nigeria’s achievement of 100% plastics neutrality by recovering every ton of plastic it introduces into the market for recycling.

The SERAS, 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 Lead 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 further emphasized 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 organization 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.”

Nestle’s approach to sustainability is comprehensive, founded on its commitments to achieve net-zero emissions, advance regenerative agriculture at scale, enhance water stewardship, develop sustainable packaging, create opportunities for young people and foster a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Nestlé Nigeria brings these commitments to life by ensuring accessible nutrition for individuals and families, contributing to building thriving communities through youth and women empowerment, enhancing access to water and improving teaching and learning facilities in communities closest to its operations.

The company also demonstrates its commitment to protecting the planet for future generations by taking action to reduce its carbon footprints through energy savings, water reduction, packaging redesign and contributing to efforts to engender a circular economy in waste management.

Nestle Nigeria’s impact across various sustainability metrics including access to water, poverty reduction and stakeholder management has been recognized and rewarded in past SERAS editions. Notably, the company emerged the 2nd Most Sustainable Company in Africa 2023 at the 17th edition of SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards.