Rite Foods Targets Net-Zero Emissions by 2060, Unveils 2025 Sustainability Report | Blissful Affairs Online
By Adaobi Promise Enekwa
LAGOS – Rite Foods Limited has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable business practices with the unveiling of its 2025 Sustainability Report, announcing significant progress in reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, improving energy efficiency, and cutting waste, while setting an ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
The report was presented on Friday at the company’s Training Centre in Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos, where management highlighted the company’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) achievements and outlined its long-term sustainability strategy.
Speaking during the presentation, the Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Ekuma Eze, said sustainability remains central to Rite Foods’ business philosophy, stressing that the company is committed to operating responsibly while creating lasting value for all stakeholders.
“We must minimize our impact on the environment, on communities, and on people, while ensuring ethical business practices so every stakeholder benefits,” Eze said.
The 2025 Sustainability Report is the second published by Rite Foods and tracks the company’s performance across three key pillars—Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG).
Driving Environmental Sustainability
According to the report, Rite Foods achieved measurable reductions across several environmental indicators.
The company recorded total carbon emissions of 567.5 tonnes of carbon equivalent in 2024, followed by a further 5 percent reduction in 2025. Carbon intensity per litre of beverage produced also declined by 23 percent year-on-year, reflecting improved operational efficiency.
Water conservation efforts yielded significant results, with overall water consumption reduced by 15 percent between 2024 and 2025. The company now monitors daily water-use ratios and recycles process water instead of immediately discharging it, helping to conserve resources while reducing production costs.
Energy efficiency also improved, with energy consumption per litre falling by 7 percent, from 0.44 megajoules to 0.41 megajoules. Rite Foods attributed the improvement to increased use of solar energy and natural gas, reduced dependence on Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), technology upgrades, and greater energy-conscious practices across its operations.
Waste management recorded another milestone, as solid waste generated per litre dropped by 27 percent, from 10.6 grams to 7.71 grams.
Beyond reducing waste, the company continued to promote circular economy initiatives. Through its “Rite on the Beach” campaign, monthly coastal clean-up exercises recovered more than 42 tonnes of plastic waste in 2025. Its “Plastic July” initiative encouraged consumers to return used plastic materials through free collection packs.
Working with the Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance, Rite Foods also supported the recovery of an additional 558.2 tonnes of plastic waste, while discarded product labels were creatively transformed into school bags distributed to more than 2,000 schoolchildren.
As part of its long-term climate strategy, the company announced its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2060.
Investing in People and Communities
The report also highlighted significant investments in employee development and community impact.
Social investment increased by 50 percent, reaching ₦581.92 million in 2025, while employee training hours rose by 76 percent.
Employment within host communities also expanded, with recruitment increasing by 4.1 percent, while the company’s total workforce grew by 6.1 percent.
Rite Foods currently employs about 3,000 people directly and supports more than 12,000 indirect jobs across its value chain.
Promoting Transparency and Good Governance
On governance, Eze said integrity, accountability, and transparency remain fundamental to the company’s operations.
He noted that the Board Audit and Risk Committee provides oversight of internal controls, compliance, and enterprise risk management.
Although not legally required, Rite Foods engaged Ernst & Young to provide limited independent assurance on the social component of its sustainability report, reinforcing the credibility of its ESG disclosures.
Also speaking, the Head of Legal Services, Oluyemi Lawal-Daki, described sustainability as a key pillar of the company’s long-term growth strategy.
She said Rite Foods remains committed to building a resilient business that creates shared value for Nigeria while maintaining transparency, accountability, and responsible corporate citizenship.
With its latest sustainability report and ambitious net-zero commitment, Rite Foods says it is positioning itself as one of Nigeria’s leading manufacturers driving sustainable growth through responsible environmental stewardship, social investment, and sound corporate governance.
