In Swahili, “Jamii” means community or people. The new sustainability platform was recently launched by global soft drink giant Coca-Cola. The platform will invest in water and waste management, as well as youth economic empowerment. Projects will be implemented with the multinational’s Africa Operating Unit (AOU), its employees, bottling partners and several non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
“As market leaders, we recognize our responsibility to advance community empowerment and protect the environment in which we operate. Whether it’s giving people access to clean water, creating economic opportunities for those in urgent need, or reducing the impact of our operations on the environment, we are committed to making a difference,” said Bruno Pietracci, Coca-Cola’s president for Africa.
For Patricia Obozuwa, Coca-Cola’s vice president of public affairs, communications and sustainability for Africa, the Jamii initiative will boost entrepreneurial opportunities by improving access to skills training, networks, finance and markets.
Reducing Coca-Cola’s environmental impact
The initiative is expected to contribute to Coca-Cola’s waste management goal. The multinational aims to recycle 100% of its plastic waste by 2030, with almost all of Coca-Cola’s packaging already recyclable.
In terms of water management, the plan is to replenish 100% of the water used to make products through efficient use of the resource in their operations. To do this, Coca-Cola will support the conservation of natural water resources and improve communities’ access to water and their adaptation to climate change.
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Since 2009, Coca-Cola and its partners have provided more than 6 million people with access to clean water in 41 countries through the Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN). Through the launch of the Jamii platform, the Atlanta, Georgia-based company, which has a regional unit in South Africa, hopes to attract like-minded partners to help accelerate the impact of its initiatives on the ground.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi