ABF in Africa

ABF Sugar’s businesses in Africa have helped rural economies develop for over 100 years. Today they continue to contribute to economic development by generating fiscal revenues and providing thousands of direct jobs as well as supporting [hundreds of thousands] of livelihoods through their extended supply chains. They prioritise working with and developing local supply chains, whether sourcing sugar cane from thousands of smallholder farmers or partnering with suppliers to support farm and factory. They understand the complexities of operating in Africa and aim to work constructively with key stakeholders, partners, governments and communities to deliver reliable supply and long-term growth.

ABF Sugar’s businesses produce sugar primarily to serve their domestic markets through their leading homegrown brands, including Bwana Sukari, Whitespoon and Illovo Sugar, as well as supplying regional markets and speciality products to international customers. They also produce a variety of co-products, such as potable ethanol, and generate electricity to help power their own operations and to contribute to national grids.

Each business contains local talent in its leadership and in its operations. Management teams are given responsibility to run their businesses as they see fit and are accountable to ABF for ensuring good governance. Zambia Sugar and Illovo Sugar Malawi are listed on their countries’ stock exchanges.

The success of ABF Sugar’s businesses is rooted in the rural communities in which they operate. As well as opportunity, this brings responsibility, which is taken seriously and is reflected in ABF Sugar’s continued investments in safety, healthcare, education and infrastructure. As well as working to provide safe working environments, ABF Sugar’s businesses in Africa provide housing to 60,000 people on their estates and provide critical medical services to over 200,000 people a year, including people from communities outside of their estates.

Climate change is a challenge affecting all of our businesses’ operations and supply chains. In response, ABF Sugar is investing in innovation, more sustainable agriculture and responsible use of resources to support its decarbonisation journey and build climate resilience. Across their operations, ABF Sugar’s businesses reduce waste and maximise the value of sugar cane by producing a wide range of products, including ethanol, speciality ingredients and renewable power.

Our ambition is for long-term growth in ABF Sugar’s African markets. We are committed to enabling a sustainable future for all of our businesses, their people, their partners, the environment and communities. We recognise there is always more to do. Sugar operations are large and complex. The operating environment is changing, as is society. But we are confident that ABF Sugar’s businesses can continue to be positive contributors to the communities in which they operate.  

ABF Sugar continues to invest to enhance the production capacity, operational effectiveness and sustainable agricultural practices of its businesses in Africa, and to support investment in major infrastructure projects that have wider positive impacts. Read more about its current projects and impact here.