Danone honoured with 2025 Impact Award for sustainability leadership at Africa CEO Forum

AFRICA – Danone, a manufacturer of dairy-based products, has been named the winner of the 2025 Impact Award at the Africa CEO Forum in recognition of its outstanding commitment to sustainability, inclusive growth, and positive community impact across the African continent.

The company was recognised for its continued progress to embed sustainable development into its core business strategy, with a special focus on its transformative work in Africa.

The company has pioneered initiatives that promote environmental stewardship, health and nutrition, and local empowerment through inclusive business practices, with its regional operator Danone Southern Africa standing out as a leading example of how businesses can balance profit and purpose.

One of Danone hallmark contributions on the continent is its investment in local supply chains, working closely with local farmers to improve Regenerative Agriculture practices.

The company has implemented water-saving technologies in its manufacturing facilities, reduced plastic usage through innovative packaging, and consistently champions healthy food access for underserved communities.

Hendrik Born, General Manager of Danone Sub-Saharan Africa, said, “It’s an honour to be recognised as a force for good and receive this year’s Impact Award. At Danone, our mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible, and this mission is inseparable from our responsibility to protect the planet and uplift communities. Our work throughout Sub-Saharan Africa also demonstrates that inclusive, sustainable business can thrive and deliver real impact across Africa.”  

The Impact Award is a recognition given to individuals, organisations, or projects that have made a significant positive difference in their respective fields. Various institutions and events grant Impact Awards to celebrate achievements in areas such as business, sustainability, leadership, and social change.

Danone’s win places it ahead of other high-profile nominees including Mastercard, Unilever, and MTN Group, all of whom have made contributions in social impact and innovation across the continent.

The Africa CEO Forum is the largest annual gathering dedicated to Africa’s private sector, bringing together CEOs, investors, policymakers, and business leaders to discuss economic growth, investment opportunities, and business strategies.

In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the 2025 Africa CEO Forum brought together public and private sector decision-makers for two days of high-level debates, negotiations, discussions, and workshops.

Under the theme “Can a New Deal Between State and Private Sector Deliver the Continent a Winning Hand?”, the forum focused on optimising public-private collaboration to advance sustainable development.

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