October 2023

Cheers to Uganda! The country’s Nile Breweries is internationally renowned and, from its two sites, produces a portfolio of high-quality, great tasting beer made from 99.5% local content, by local people. It’s a true story of success, growing from family business to organisation of national importance, enhancing governance and standards all the time.

Few can claim to have delivered such a lasting impact. AB InBev has ensured Nile Breweries local ingredients has grown from 70% to almost 100%, employment figures have grown dramatically, the product portfolio has expanded, and ESG and CSR initiatives continue to advance positive projects in the country, especially around water health. This is a case of big business doing great while doing good – not something we hear about too often.

South Africa’s powerhouse retailer Woolworths is also a brand that is unanimous in the country, recognised for quality and excellence in stores and online. Currently undertaking a five-year strategy that will see major improvements behind the scenes, aligning the company with global sustainability practices, Woolworths is looking at packaging, local supply chain, CO₂ emissions, and much more to ensure it is a viable operation in decades to come.

Avis South Africa, the world’s leading car rental brand, is currently going through an interesting period as it becomes part of Zeda – the newly JSE-listed holdings business created after Avis was unbundled from Barloworld, allowing it to grow further across southern Africa. CEO Ramasela Ganda is keen on sustainability through efficiency and is promoting a fresh set of ESG values through a mainly female leadership team.

The theme here is that all are zeroing in on improvements that impact the local community, and if more businesses would join the regional push then more progress could be made developing sustainable, lasting supply chains, and wider wealth distribution.

Tell us how your business is investing in the community that it calls home, and what impact these investments are making beyond profit. We’re online at LinkedIn.