Lafarge Africa Plc Releases Sustainability Report, Restates Commitment to Sustainable Development in Nigeria
Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading building solutions company in Sub-Saharan Africa and a member of Holcim Limited, a global leader in building solutions, has released its 2022 Sustainability Report, revealing its commitment to sustainable development in Nigeria.
The report, titled ‘Shaping a Greener Future through Innovation and Collaboration,’ showcases the remarkable achievements and progress of the company in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives during the period from 1st January 2022 to 31 December 2022.
The report highlights how Lafarge Africa Plc is aligning its operations and initiatives with the global and local trends and challenges in sustainability, such as flooding, carbon neutrality, environmental, social and corporate governance, climate change, and solar power.
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Lafarge Africa has the widest footprint in Nigeria with cement operations in the south western Ogun State, north eastern Gombe State, south eastern Cross Rivers State, with Ready-Mix operations in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.
Listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group, Lafarge Africa is actively participating in the urbanization and economic growth of Nigeria, the largest economy in Africa.
According to the report, the company is contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, especially in the areas of poverty reduction, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, and climate action.
According to Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, GMD/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, one of the notable achievements of the company is its success in reducing the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from 595 kilograms per metric ton (t) of production in 2021 to 574 kilograms per metric ton (t) through the use of Alternative Fuel and the deployment of energy-efficient technologies across its production and distribution processes. This resulted in achieving a global thermal substitution rate of 13.5 percent compared to 9.4 percent recorded in 2021.
“With the unwavering support and collaborative efforts of our shareholders, employees, customers, and communities, we were able to innovate in the areas of manufacturing, supply chain and service delivery to create value for all our stakeholders while preserving our planet for the future generations,” said Alade-Akinyemi.
The report revealed Lafarge adopted best practices and engaging with local communities to ensure that its quarry rehabilitation efforts not only met regulatory requirements but also created sustainable livelihoods for host communities through employment and job creation as well as other social impact programmes.
“The social impact performance aspect of the report underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of its stakeholders as it continues to foster partnerships with communities, governments, and non-profit organisations to address social challenges and make a positive impact.
“We continue to focus on the areas with the most needs for our communities by implementing interventions in education, employment and empowerment, health and safety as well as shelter and infrastructure,” the report reads in part.
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The report also showcases the company’s recognition and awards for its sustainability efforts, such as the prestigious 2022 NGX Made of Africa Award for sustainability reporting, affirming the company’s leading role in driving sustainable development in Nigeria.
According to Prince Adebode Adefioye, the Chairman of Lafarge Africa Plc, the theme of the report, “Shaping a Greener Future through Innovation and Collaboration,” encapsulates Lafarge’s dedication to fostering positive environmental and social impacts.
“I am delighted to present Lafarge Africa Plc’s latest Sustainability Report, highlighting our steadfast commitment to sustainability and our ongoing journey towards a greener future,” said Adefioye.
