The Coca-Cola Company continues to uphold water stewardship, partners OPS-WASH to extend efforts across Nigeria

By Zion Rufus

In recent weeks, The Coca-Cola Company, in partnership with Coca-Cola HBC, made significant strides in addressing water-related concerns in Nigeria. A sanitation and water facility was inaugurated in a small community in Lagos, Nigeria, marking the beginning of a broader initiative to combat open defecation and provide clean water. As part of this project, The Coca-Cola Company has collaborated with OPS-WASH, a valuable partner, to extend its efforts across vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

As water scarcity challenges persist in various parts of the world, The Coca-Cola Company has remained unwavering in its dedication to addressing these pressing issues and making a lasting impact on communities, as it continues to emphasize the pivotal importance of this indispensable resource to the communities it serves.

While expressing her gratitude to her colleagues for bringing this life-changing project to fruition in a LinkedIn post, Amaka Onyemelukwe, Director of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company, buttressed the company’s commitment to water stewardship and community well-being.

“Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company because it is essential to life, our beverages and the communities we serve. Many places in the world are experiencing more water scarcity or water stress – and many have faced ongoing challenges for decades. Water scarcity happens when there isn’t enough safe, usable water.This gap is what The Coca-Cola Company and its partner Coca-Cola HBC is working to bridge in Nigeria,” she stated.

Water stewardship also continues to sit at the core aspect of Coca-Cola’s corporate social responsibility (CSR). The company has initiated various programs, including the Replenish Africa Initiative, with the ambitious goal of providing clean water to over 6 million people. The partnership between Coca-Cola and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) tackles water stress, with over 1.5 trillion liters of water replenished through business and local water initiatives, positively impacting the lives of more than 10.6 million individuals in 79 countries.

For over a decade, Coca-Cola and WWF have joined forces to champion healthy, flourishing freshwater basins globally. Starting with 11 freshwater basins, their work has expanded to 50 countries, including Nigeria. This groundbreaking partnership has set a high standard for corporate and non-profit collaborations, fostering collective efforts with governments, local communities, and other businesses to safeguard the future of these critical basins.

This collaboration also extends beyond water stewardship to enhance environmental performance throughout Coca-Cola’s supply chain.

It includes reducing emissions and reimagining sourcing for agricultural ingredients and recycling plastic packaging. Additionally, the partnership aims to empower vulnerable communities to withstand climate change and water-related challenges.

With water stewardship as a fundamental pillar of its sustainability initiatives, Coca-Cola continues to prioritize its role in promoting environmental and community well-being. As the global climate evolves and water access becomes increasingly significant, The Coca-Cola Company remains steadfast in its efforts to assist vulnerable communities in building resilience against these pressing issues.