[Abidjan]
Can you start by telling me a little bit more about your role at Solevo?
In my capacity as the Head of ESG at Solevo, my role is a pivotal part of our sustainability strategy, reflecting the organization's commitment to responsible business practices. This position directly reports to the Head of Operations and Supply Chain. In this role, I oversee operations at both the headquarters and our eight subsidiaries across Africa. My responsibilities include building and implementing our Sustainable Development strategy, coordinating ESG and impact initiatives, ensuring awareness and training for all stakeholders, overseeing ESG reporting, and representing Solevo at various fairs. Importantly, Solevo has established a governance structure with ESG representatives in each subsidiary to support the implementation of our initiatives.
This year, Solevo was awarded the EcoVadis Gold award and signed the United Nations Global Compact. Sustainability seems to be very much at the forefront of Solevo’s values. Can you elaborate on what sustainability means for Solevo and the company’s 3-5 year vision?
Certainly. We officially started our sustainability journey in June 2019, conducting external EHS audits based on IFC and ILO requirements. In 2023 we finalized our strategy and roadmap for the years ahead. This approach includes six pillars, covering labor and human rights, environment, management systems, outreach and communities, supply chain, and ethics. Each pillar has its own roadmap and we are well on our way to achieving our goals for 2026.
Is Solevo’s approach to sustainability unique in the industry, especially in Africa?
While some competitors share similar values, Solevo aims to take a leadership role in promoting sustainability in Africa. We want to surpass mere compliance and actively set industry standards. Along with ensuring that internally we are doing everything we can, we also have a variety of community projects in the works. These include reforestation, blood donation and empty packaging collection. All of these initiatives are all supported by an education component.
Looking ahead to 2026, what does success look like for Solevo in terms of sustainability?
By 2026, we aim to achieve ISO certification for all sites, increase female representation throughout the organization to 35%, reduce accidents, plant over 500,000 trees, increase customer training and education initiatives, and actively engage with communities. We will also aim to be EcoVadis Platinum award winners, putting us in the top 1% of all companies assessed.
How optimistic are you about achieving these goals, considering the challenges?
While it may be challenging, I'm optimistic. Solevo has strong support from our CEO to workers in the field. Training sessions and initiatives, like blood donation drives, demonstrate the commitment of our team. Our focus on digitalization aims to provide essential information to users, improving product use and safety.
You mentioned digitalization. How does it tie into Solevo’s sustainability efforts?
We recently launched the My Solevo procurement application but digitalization goes well beyond this. Our longer-term digitalization vision involves providing users with detailed product information, including storage, PPE requirements, and disposal instructions. This not only enhances product effectiveness but also promotes user safety. Additionally, we're considering incorporating training and education elements to further support our sustainability goals.
Achieving sustainable agriculture in Africa is a collective endeavor. Do you have any advice for fellow agro-inputs companies? What would you like to see move from best-practice to standard practice in the next 5 years?
Solevo has embraced the 1st aspiration of African Union Agenda 2063 for “a prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development”. As agriculture players, we all share a common interest in contributing to the empowerment of Small Holder Farmers (SHF). This involves delivering high-quality products, enhancing technical support for improved yields and income, minimizing Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) risks, and supporting their individual and community initiatives, such as those related to education, gender balance, and energy. Our approach is rooted in respecting regulations, fostering healthy competition, and driving innovations. We encourage our fellow agro-input companies to prioritize SHF empowerment through similar practices. Looking forward, we envision this approach transitioning from being considered best-practice to becoming a standard across the industry in the next five years.
For additional information and media inquiries, please contact: communication@solevogroup.com
About Solevo Group:
The Solevo Group is a leading distribution platform for specialty chemicals and partner to farmers, businesses, industrial leaders and communities across Africa. Established in 1918, Solevo operates locally in eight countries, including the Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Angola, Ghana, and Madagascar. Solevo serves a diverse spectrum of industries, from agriculture and food production to home and personal care, construction, and water treatment.
Driven by the belief that self-sufficiency and local industry growth are integral to Africa’s development, Solevo is dedicated to supporting the continent’s dynamic transformation. The company is committed to developing efficient, innovative, sustainable and high-quality products, services and solutions for African farmers, planters, entrepreneurs and industries. Solevo’s overarching mission is to contribute to a safer, healthier and more secure future for individuals and communities across Africa.
