Anglo Gold Ashanti - Sustainable and Resilient Communities
Africa's opportunities and increasingly favourable business environment are major draw cards for foreign investors at the forefront of predicted growth on the continent. This growth is mirrored by a global push for major corporations to expand their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through policies which consider the impact of business practices on people and the environment.
As major infrastructure projects in particular can have a significant impact on local communities, CSR plays an important role in ensuring that the impact is positive. This is achieved through a range of activities: financing for local startups, investing in much needed infrastructure, employee benefits programs, community participation workshops and advocacy on relevant issues. CSR takes ideas from traditional development sector principles that emphasise altruism and improving quality of life, in order to develop sustainable business practices.
AngloGold Ashanti’s report, Contributing to Resilient, Sustainable Communities outlines the company’s approach to CSR. Through acknowledging the influential role that their business plays in the community, by providing jobs and livelihoods, AngloGold Ashanti has developed a comprehensive CSR strategy with the goal of “contributing to resilient and sustainable communities.” The sustainability strategy highlights three subsections of concern: environment, social and governance, or ESG.
ESG is addressed through five policy approaches:
Enterprise and supplier development
Localisation of employment and procurement opportunities
Infrastructure development
Public health initiatives
Education and skills development
AngloGold Ashanti’s report emphasises that successful CSR programs back up their vision with workplace policy and robust monitoring and evaluation processes that foster accountability. Where to begin for your business? The traditional development sector is a great place to start to refine approaches - strengths-based, participatory, gender sensitive etc. - and build awareness of cross-cutting issues - age, gender, disability, ethnicity etc. - that may impact the outcomes of projects amongst different demographics. As a business it is important to understand both company and partners CSR goals. Often, corporate goals are derived from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and we can see this in the areas that AngloGold Ashani prioritises.
Siguiri Cashew Project
https://www.aga-reports.com/20/sr/stories/siguiri-cashew-project/
In 2020, AngloGold Ashanti reported over $20 million in community investment. After consultation with the Siguiri community, they identified that unemployment was a key concern. To address this, AngloGold Ashanti invested in a project that involved creating a cashew processing plant. The project is running from 2020 - 2024 and is estimated to create 570 permanent jobs over the life of the project. The project also aims to integrate youth and women by providing opportunities for training and employment within the project. Siguiri Cashews attracted more than 2,000 farmers and currently employs 50 community members. 133 farmers, including 21 women and 47 young people, have received project management training and over 8,700 cashew trees have since been sold to producer organisations.
Successful business partnerships in Africa should involve a level of CSR programming and it is important to have an understanding of what CSR is and strategic company developments. Common CSR goals aim to upskill workers or prioritise local procurement practices. These policies may provide opportunity as well as obstacles when partnering with established corporations. Within your business there are aspects of CSR that you will be able to undertake at any stage, such as identifying your values and identifying areas of opportunity to decrease areas of unfavourable impacts. If you are planning to work directly with communities it may be best to seek guidance from a consultant who specialises in CSR projects in your local context.
- Maddie Balzer