Lafarge Africa Plc has hosted its inaugural suppliers summit, themed “Sustainable Business, Innovating with Excellence” emphasising the critical need for sustainable practices in business operations to ensure long-term environmental and economic health.
The summit highlighted Lafarge Africa’s commitment to fostering innovation and promoting sustainability across the industry.
In his opening remarks at the event, which held in Lagos, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, GMD/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, emphasized the
importance of sustainability and innovation in shaping the future of businesses and the industry. He said: “At 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 endeavour; 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 Procurement Director and host of the summit, Saeed Ande, 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.
