The Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce (NSACC) held its April breakfast meeting at Eko Hotel and Suites, on Tuesday, 29 April, 2025 sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company, emphasizing that CSI is no longer a nicety but a necessity for businesses seeking to create shared value for both stakeholders and society.
The guest speaker, Mr. Bolaji Okusaga, Managing Consultant at Precise Platform Company, in a compelling presentation on the importance of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in building organizational reputation and driving sustainable growth.
He noted that by demonstrating a genuine commitment to social and environmental causes, organizations can foster trust, enhance their reputation, and ultimately drive long-term sustainability.
A key takeaway from the presentation was the importance of understanding the dynamics of stakeholders and their expectations.
Okusaga identified four types of stakeholders: adversarial, advocate, apathetic, and active. Organizations should strive to migrate stakeholders from being adversarial to advocate stakeholders by managing expectations and delivering value
The speaker also highlighted the evolution of corporate social responsibility, from the “laissez-faire” approach to philanthropy, triple bottom line, and sustainability. The triple bottom line approach, which focuses on people, planet, and profit, was seen as a step in the right direction, but Okusaga noted that it still had inherent weaknesses.
The presentation cited Coca-Cola’s efforts to create a sustainable packaging system as an example of a company investing in the community and environment. By creating a recycling ecosystem and promoting sustainable practices, Coca-Cola is not only reducing its environmental footprint but also creating jobs and improving livelihoods.
Okusaga emphasized that organizations must clearly define their objectives beyond just making money and align with the reality of the environment in which they operate. This requires a deep understanding of the social and environmental context in which businesses operate and a willingness to adapt and evolve.
The presentation concluded that there is a correlation between social influence and reputation, and organizations should continually research and analyze areas of need to inform their CSI strategies. By doing so, businesses can build trust, reputation, and long-term sustainability.
The presentation sparked engaging discussions and questions from the audience, with attendees showing keen interest in implementing CSI strategies in their organizations.
The event provided a valuable platform for business leaders to engage, share insights, and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth, further solidifying the partnership between Nigeria and South Africa.
In addition, Amaka Onyemelukwe, Senior Director at The Coca-Cola Company, who delivered a keynote presentation, reiterated Coca-Cola’s commitment to sustainability is driven by its vision to create a “World Without Waste.”
Coca-Cola Nigeria is actively demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation through various initiatives. These efforts include waste management interventions, promoting recycling, and investing in cleaner energy sources. Specifically, they’ve pledged to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one they sell globally by 2030, and are working towards collecting 65% of their primary packaging for recycling by 2025.
She noted that the company’s aim to collect and recycle more packaging waste than it produces, has invested in three bottle-to-bottle recycling facilities in Nigeria, adding that these facilities can process up to 13,000 metric tons of plastic bottles annually, creating a significant impact on reducing waste and promoting recycling in the country.
Stressing the importance of collective action in achieving sustainability goals, she urged businesses, governments, and individuals to work together to reduce waste and promote recycling.
On the economic benefits of recycling, she cited the creation of jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses by partnering with local organizations and communities, Coca-Cola Nigeria can amplify its impact and create a lasting legacy.
The Coca-Cola Company has set ambitious targets to use more recycled materials in its packaging and reduce its carbon footprint.
Onyemelukwe encouraged individuals and businesses to join the company’s sustainability journey by adopting recycling practices and promoting environmental conservation.
She emphasized that every small action counts, while collective efforts can lead to significant positive change.
In her closing remarks, Onyemelukwe charged attendees to spread the word about the importance of sustainability and recycling and to take action in their various communities to create a better environment for future generations.
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