OUR
FOCUS ON
SUSTAINABILITY

At Illovo Sugar Malawi plc, our commitment to sustainability is at the core of our corporate responsibility. We recognize that as a leading agro-processor
Battery powered Electric Forklift

Our sustainability program focuses on key activities geared towards achieving the following:

To achieve these goals, we focus on several key areas that are critical to our sustainability efforts:

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Sustainable agriculture is essential for maintaining the long-term viability of farming operations by preserving soil health, optimizing water usage, and minimizing environmental impact. By adopting practices such as crop rotation, fertilizer management, integrated pest management, smart water irrigation, and efficient irrigation systems, we aim to enhance soil quality, conserve water, and reduce our environmental footprint.

Beyond our own operations, we support sustainable agriculture by providing training and input support that help growers access the skills and resources needed to adopt resilient and environmentally responsible farming practices. This aligns with Malawi Vision 2063, which promotes the empowerment of small-scale farmers and the transformation of agriculture into a productive and sustainable sector.
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ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Environmental stewardship is central to minimizing our impact on the planet. We focus on energy efficiency, waste reduction, biodiversity, and circularity to protect natural resources and reduce our carbon footprint. We utilize renewable energy and energy-saving technologies in our processing plants, and implement strategies to reduce waste during production and packaging.

Our commitment includes promoting biodiversity, reducing CO₂ emissions through science-based targets, optimized machinery use, and precision agriculture. We also apply circular economy principles to recycle materials and create value from by-products. This includes generating renewable energy from bagasse through cogeneration, which powers our operations and reduces reliance on external energy sources. Additionally, we recycle water used during sugar processing to reduce freshwater consumption and improve overall water efficiency.
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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

We are committed to creating positive social impact across our workforce and communities. This includes promoting fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and inclusive workplace policies.
In our communities, we invest in education, healthcare, clean water, disaster response, and enterprise development.

We also partner with grower cooperatives and associations such as Phata, Kasinthula and Dwangwa Cane Growers Association to support sustainable agriculture, fair pricing, and improved livelihoods. These partnerships empower smallholder farmers and contribute to Malawi Vision 2063 goals for inclusive economic growth.
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CONSUMER AND MARKET RESPONSIBILITY

Ensuring the quality and safety of our products, along with sustainable packaging and consumer education, is vital for maintaining trust and satisfaction. We uphold high standards in product quality and food safety, using recyclable plastics to reduce waste and environmental impact. We educate consumers about sustainable consumption and the benefits of our products.

By refining market strategies, expanding our geographic footprint, and connecting more directly with consumers, we aim to meet consumer needs while contributing to economic growth. Our quality systems align with the Malawi Bureau of Standards and international certifications including GFSI, FSSC, Kosher, and Halaal.
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ECONOMIC IMPACT

We contribute to Malawi’s economy by creating opportunities across our value chain—through employment, tax contributions, investments, and support for local businesses and independent growers.

We prioritize sourcing from local suppliers, invest in infrastructure and community development, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These efforts align with Malawi Vision 2063 to foster economic growth, industrialization, and self-reliance.
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At Illovo Sugar Malawi plc, our commitment to sustainability is at the core of our corporate responsibility. We recognize that as a leading agro processor, our activities have significant environmental, social, and economic impacts.

Therefore, we are dedicated to integrating sustainable practices across all aspects of our business to ensure long-term value creation for our stakeholders while protecting the environment and supporting our communities.

We are committed to fostering sustainable development and creating a better future for our business, customers, and the greater Malawian community.
No Current Activations Available
Illovo Sugar Malawi (The Group) was incorporated in Malawi as a private company, (The Sugar Corporation of Malawi (SUCOMA) Limited), on 31 May 1965 and then converted to a public company on 15 September 1997.

Illovo Group Holdings Limited (Illovo) through Sucoma Holdings Limited, holds 76% of the issued share capital of Illovo Sugar Malawi with the balance of the shares being held by the public and other institutional investors.

The ultimate holding company is Associated British Foods plc (ABF), in the United Kingdom, which acquired full ownership of Illovo Sugar Africa in 2016.

Route to consumer Manager

Trade Marketing Manager

Domestic Sales Manager

For Feedback or more information please contact
us below or email infomalawi@illovo.co.za

Our approach includes:

  • Understanding Impacts, Risks & Opportunities: Identifying material ESG issues across our value chain to guide strategy and decision-making.

  • Monitoring: Tracking performance against key ESG metrics to drive continuous improvement and ensure regulatory compliance.

  • Reporting: Sharing progress through our annual report and other communication channels.

  • Governance: ESG oversight is led by the Executive Team, with strategic direction from the Managing Director and Board based on material risks, local regulations, and customer needs.

By embedding ESG into our business practices, we aim to create lasting value for our business, our customers, and the communities we serve. You can find the latest ESG report here.

SUPPLY CHAIN

The Supply Chain department manages end-to-end planning, procurement, warehousing, inventory, inbound and outbound logistics, and customer order fulfilment. It ensures seamless alignment between demand and supply through a robust Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, enabling informed decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.

The department also drives efficiency and service excellence by optimising cost, service, and working capital, while leveraging tools like the Transporter Management System (TMS) to improve logistics visibility, performance tracking, and last-mile delivery.

SHERQ

The SHERQ department’s core function is to implement the Illovo Way of SHERQ and Food Safety standards, systems, processes, and regulatory requirements. It promotes continuous improvement in SHERQ and Food Safety, and coordinates risk management to identify and mitigate estate risks

HUMAN RESOURCES

HR is the custodian of our people strategy. From recruitment and onboarding to learning, wellness, and performance management, HR ensures that every employee is supported, valued, and empowered to thrive. They bring our Employee Value Proposition (EVP) to life and champion a culture where people are proud to belong.

FINANCE

The Finance Department, led by the Finance Manager, manages core accounting and transactional functions. It performs financial and operational analysis to support strategic decisionmaking and maintains a consistent approach to financial risk management through regular reviews. Additionally, it develops and maintains positive relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, customers, and auditors

FACTORY

The Factory Department ensures product quality by embedding the “Illovo Way in Production,” partnering with Finance to develop and manage the production budget, achieving cost synergies, and fostering continuous improvement and risk assessment. It also upholds SHERQ and Food Safety standards.

ESTATE SUPPORT SERVICES

The Estate Support Services department’s core function is to ensure the best-in-class security and emergency response operations, medical services, community engagement activities and estate maintenance operations within the estate.

CORPORATE AFFAIRS

The Corporate Affairs department is responsible for internal and external communication, stakeholder engagement, regulatory affairs, and brand reputation management. It fosters strong relationships with government, media, community leaders, and the general public to protect and enhance Illovo’s social license to operate.

COMMERCIAL

The Commercial department is made up of three core functions: Sales, Trade Marketing, and Route to Consumer (RtC). Together, they ensure that Illovo’s products are available, accessible, and affordable, even in white space markets. The department drives product availability, optimises revenue generation, and builds enduring partnerships with customers, distributors, and regional trade bodies.

The team delivers against the following seven Commercial Imperatives:

Cost to Serve, Supply Reliability, Quality, Optimised Product Portfolio, Increased Consumption Occasions, Sales Excellence, and Route to Consumer.

BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT

The Business Improvement department drives operational excellence by embedding continuous improvement practices, unlocking efficiency gains, and supporting strategic initiatives across all functions. It plays a critical role in fostering a high-performance culture and driving transformation across the business.

AGRICULTURE

The Agriculture department is responsible for championing the “Illovo Way of Agriculture” through ongoing farming system modernisation, capability building, and performance optimisation, to ensure Illovo becomes the best-in-class sugar producer in Malawi.