The Africa Sustainability Brands Summit 2024
The journey towards sustainability is one that organizations across Africa are navigating, whether consciously or unconsciously. As the complexity of the global market grows, more organizations are embracing the need to think differently and inspire the public. Many are expanding their repertoire of tools and techniques to find the solutions they seek.
The Africa Sustainability Brands Summit is a forum dedicated to ideas on sustainability. It serves as an international network of thought leaders, experts, and peers eager to share best practices, test solutions, and present proven results on sustainability. The event took place on July 31, 2024, at the Civic Center in Victoria Island, Lagos. It was themed “Navigating the Paradigm Shift on Sustainability: Challenges and Opportunities.”
Expertly managed by Mr. Sam Uche Anyamele, the event included brand presentations and interactive sessions, concluding with a special awards ceremony. This ceremony honored companies for their distinctive strategies and initiatives in sustainability, which have been pivotal in establishing their brands as Africa’s sustainable leaders.
In an interview with Lovelyn Okoye, the Sustainability Manager of Seven-Up Bottling Company, she expressed her excitement about winning an award, saying, “I am very excited about winning this award. It recognizes our commitment to sustainability, which is a core value at Seven-Up Bottling Company.
We believe businesses should focus not only on the bottom line (profit) but also on the triple bottom line: profit, people, and the planet. Sustainability is a crucial part of our future and is embedded in our corporate strategy.”
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When asked about the most significant barriers her organization faces in adopting sustainable practices, Lovelyn explained, “A lot of organizations don’t truly understand sustainability, and people often misunderstand it.
There’s a misconception that sustainability is just about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and doesn’t impact the bottom line. However, sustainability is about balancing environmental and social factors with economic success. It’s about recognizing that a sustainable business is a successful business in the long run.”
Regarding the role of innovation in driving sustainability in Africa, she stated, “Absolutely. In Nigeria, we face significant energy poverty, hindering business growth and development. Without reliable electric power, businesses cannot thrive. Currently, most people rely on fossil fuels, which contribute to climate change and hamper sustainability efforts.
That’s why we’re seeing a shift towards cleaner alternatives like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas), a less polluting fossil fuel. However, true innovation lies in exploring renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
These are essential for achieving sustainable development. Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
