By Merit Ibe
The SERAS Africa Sustainability Awards has announced the opening of entries and participation for the 2023 edition and 17th cycle of its awards.
The SERAS is Africa’s first and foremost recognition of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. The gold-standard award and the most important industry ceremony in Africa has over the years drawn participation from 31 countries on the continent.
This year’s edition, which opened on May 26 will close on July 31. The theme; ‘Circular Economy as the New Market Disruptor: SDGs Innovation as Key to Vision 2030’, is an extension of the previous edition’s theme.
At the unveiling of the 2023 theme, the founder of the awards, Ken Egbas, revealed the 25 awards categories ratified by the judges’ committee that would be competed for by organisations across Africa. The categories include- Circular Economy; Environmental Stewardship; Rural Population Integration; Poverty Reduction; Promotion of Good Health/ Well-Being; Partnership of the Year; Education Intervention of the Year; Reporting & Transparency; Best Work-Place Practice; Stakeholder Engagement; Not-for-Profit of the Year; Deborah Leipziger Africa Prize for Innovation (Product/Service). Others are Gender Equality/Women Empowerment; Social Enterprise of the Year; Food Security, Water & Sanitation; Climate Action; Supply-Chain Management; Sustainability Reporting (Media: Electronic/Print/online); Sustainability Professional of the Year; and CEO of the Year.
In line with the focal theme, other categories are – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion; Net Zero Transition; Technology for Development of the Year; Social Impact/ Human Capital Advancement; and Impact Investor of the Year.
“Last year, we began the introductory journey into circularity and we are continuing with it this year. Year after year, we focus on adding depth to the sustainability journeys of organisations from around the continent. We are indeed delighted at the extent of progress so far recorded.
Last year, we broke new grounds with circularity. Now we wanted to help brands and organisations consolidate. What we have consistently done every year is to use this platform to set the agenda for the growth and development of sustainability in Africa, and systematically get organizations in Africa to buy into the vision of being responsible businesses and forces-for-good on the continent. We are excited by the keen interest from around Africa and key gatekeepers, supporters, and regulators from around the world who follow our processes,” Egbas said.
Entries for this year’s edition opened on May 26 and closes on July 31.