Investing in Local Communities

Posted: November 3rd, 2015

By Chris Fitz-Gerald

Chris Fitz-Gerald is Illovo Sugar Limited's Group Communications Manager. Illovo Sugar Limited is Africa's biggest sugar producer, with extensive agricultural and manufacturing operations in six African countries. The group produces raw and refined sugar for local, regional African, European Union, and United States of America markets.

Illovo Sugar Limited, Africa’s biggest sugar producer, exports raw and refined sugar globally. After crime and conflict in South Africa over land ownership affected business operations, Illovo South Africa began working on redistributing land to local farmers, well before the government implemented such a policy. Chris Fitz-Gerald, Illovo’s Communication Manager, told The Cipher Brief that corporate social values can contribute to thriving and vibrant communities.

The Cipher Brief: Your company is a major private investor in numerous African countries, including South Africa. What challenges has your company faced because of crime and conflict in South Africa? How does this compare to the threats your company faces in other countries of operation?  

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