Rite Foods cuts carbon intensity by 23%, expands cleaner energy drive

L-R: Mr Godfrey Ojo, Head, Internal Audit; Mrs Oluyemi Lawal-Daki, Head, Legal Services & Company Secretary; Mr Ekuma Eze, Head, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability; Dr. Eustace Onuegbu, President, Independent Network for Corporate Social Responsibility; and Dr Zainab Obaro, Strategic Senior Human Resource Business Partner, all of Rite Foods Limited, during the presentation of the company’s 2025 Sustainability Report at the corporate head office in Lagos.

Rite Foods Limited has stepped up its sustainability efforts, recording a 23 per cent improvement in carbon intensity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than five per cent in 2025.

The Nigerian food and beverage manufacturer disclosed this while presenting its 2025 Sustainability Report in Lagos on Friday, July 24, 2026, highlighting progress in environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation and community development.

The report also showed a 15 per cent improvement in water-use efficiency and a 27 per cent improvement in solid waste management during the period.

According to Rite Foods, the results reflect the impact of investments in cleaner production systems, improved resource utilisation and more efficient operational processes.

Speaking at the report presentation, the company’s Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Mr. Ekuma Eze, said sustainability had evolved from being viewed simply as a corporate responsibility initiative to becoming an important part of the company’s business strategy.

He explained that the company’s sustainability approach was focused on reducing its environmental footprint while creating long-term value for employees, consumers, communities and other stakeholders.

“Sustainability has become a defining pillar of Rite Foods’ growth strategy and a key driver of long-term value creation,” Eze said.

“Every milestone we have achieved reflects our resolve to operate responsibly, reduce our environmental footprint, create shared value for our stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

Cleaner energy transition

Rite Foods said its energy strategy had continued to shift towards cleaner sources, with natural gas now accounting for more than 93 per cent of its energy mix.

The company added that it was increasing its investments in renewable energy as part of efforts to further lower emissions and strengthen the resilience of its manufacturing operations.

Eze said the transition was intended not only to improve environmental performance but also to ensure that the company’s operations remain responsive to evolving global expectations around sustainable and responsible manufacturing.

The company’s environmental agenda covers several areas, including greenhouse gas reduction, energy management, water conservation, waste management and the adoption of more efficient production technologies.

Rite Foods said the 15 per cent improvement in water-use efficiency demonstrated the impact of efforts to reduce resource consumption, while the 27 per cent gain in solid waste management reflected improvements in waste reduction and handling across its operations.

N581.9m community investment

Beyond environmental initiatives, Rite Foods reported substantial social and economic contributions through employment and community investments.

The company said it currently provides about 3,000 direct jobs and supports more than 12,000 indirect jobs through its wider value chain.

It also disclosed that more than N581.92 million was committed to community and social development initiatives during the period.

The investments supported programmes in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, environmental sustainability and other areas of community development.

According to the company, the programmes form part of its broader belief that business sustainability should be measured not only by financial performance but also by the positive impact an organisation creates for society.

Reporting against global standards

Rite Foods also highlighted its approach to sustainability reporting, saying the 2025 report was prepared with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards and incorporated elements of the IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards.

The company said aligning its disclosures with internationally recognised frameworks would enhance transparency and accountability while providing stakeholders with a clearer view of its environmental, social and governance performance.

Rite Foods said responsible leadership and transparent reporting would remain central to its ambition of building a resilient and globally competitive Nigerian business.

The company added that innovation and technology would continue to play an important role in its sustainability strategy, particularly as it seeks to improve manufacturing efficiency while limiting its environmental impact.

As part of its long-term sustainability ambition, the company said it would continue expanding cleaner energy solutions, strengthening resource efficiency and working with stakeholders to create shared economic and social value.

Rite Foods’ product portfolio includes Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink, Bigi Premium drinking water, Sosa Fruit Drink, Fearless Energy Drink, Rite Spicy Beef, Bigi Beef and Bigi Flex Sausages.

The company said its products are manufactured with modern technology and infrastructure, reflecting its focus on quality, innovation and efficient production.

Rite Foods reaffirmed that it would continue to deepen its sustainability programmes as it seeks to combine business growth with environmental stewardship, social impact and responsible manufacturing in Nigeria.

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