FILE PHOTO: The logo of French concrete maker Lafarge is seen on the plant of Bercy on the banks of the river Seine in Paris, France, September 3, 2020. REUTERS/Charles Platiau
The Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, has emphasized the importance of sustainability and innovation in shaping the future of business.
Alade-Akinyemi stated this during his opening opening remarks in the inaugural Suppliers Summit, themed “Sustainable Business, Innovating with Excellence.” hosted in Lagos by his company.
He explained that, sustainability is not just a goal but a way of doing business, saying” It is about finding innovative solutions that minimize our environmental impact while maximizing value for our stakeholders”.
In his words, he said, “Lafarge Africa, we believe that sustainability is not just a goal but a way of doing business. It is about finding innovative solutions that minimize our environmental impact while maximizing value for our stakeholders. But innovation is not a solitary endeavor — it requires collaboration, creativity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. That is why we are here today, to explore new ideas, share best practices, and strengthen our collaboration.”
The event brought together key stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, industry experts, and partners, to discuss sustainability, innovation, and strategies for excellence.
The summit highlighted Lafarge Africa’s commitment to fostering innovation and promoting sustainability across the industry. The event featured insightful panel discussions, networking opportunities, and interactive sessions focused on key topics such as innovation, efficiency, technology, and collaborative partnerships.
The Procurement Director and host of the summit, Saeed Ande, welcomed attendees and underscored the critical role of procurement in driving sustainable practices. He said, “I understand the critical role that our suppliers play in our success. You are not just suppliers; you are our partners in growth, our allies in sustainability, and our collaborators in innovation.”
In her keynote presentation, Mrs. Marylyn Obaisa-Osula, Head ESG| Sustainability& Climate Change, PwC Nigeria; provided an in-depth overview of sustainable supplying, highlighting the role of innovation in this transition.
A major highlight of the summit was the panel discussion on sustainability in business, featuring industry experts including Dr. Olukola Dawodu, Assistant Director SMEDAN represented by Mr. Leke Babalola, Chief Enterprise Officer, SMEDAN; Mr. Patrick Eneh, Head, Acquisition & Specialised Sectors, Stanbic IBTC; Mr. Vishant Dalamal, MD/CEO, MDV Limited; Mrs. Temilola Abdul, Manager for Governance, Risk and Compliance, PwC Nigeria; and Anuoluwapo Gbadegesin, Legal & Compliance, Lafarge Africa Plc, as moderator.
The panelists emphasized the critical need for sustainable practices in business operations to ensure long-term environmental and economic health, while encouraging partnerships between suppliers, customers, and industry leaders to share best practices and drive collective success.
The success of the Suppliers Summit marks an important milestone for The Leading innovative and sustainable solutions company, Lafarge Africa.
