Luanda, April 24, 2023 – Refriango has been named the winner of the Forbes Social Responsibility Award in the Commerce & Industry category by Forbes Africa Lusophone. This recognition highlights the transformative impact of the company’s programs in education, health, sports, arts, and environmental sustainability. The award ceremony, honoring Angolan companies with exemplary social responsibility practices, took place last Friday, April 21, in Luanda.
A Commitment to Purpose-Driven Business
The decision to award Refriango was based on the high impact and relevance of its social responsibility initiatives, as evaluated by a jury led by João Traça, president of the Portugal-Angola Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Tânia Jardim, Refriango’s Marketing Administrator, accepted the award "with great honor and pride" on behalf of the company. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized that corporate social responsibility is no longer a trend but an urgent necessity in the face of climate change, social inequalities, and global crises. “Purpose-driven brands play a crucial role in building a more sustainable and just future for everyone,” she said.
Jardim noted that Refriango creates a clear purpose for each of its brands, aiming to positively impact society and the environment in all activities. She added that these initiatives foster deep, long-lasting relationships with consumers, who feel more connected to a brand when they support its meaningful causes.
Highlights of Refriango’s Initiatives
Over its 17 years of operation, Refriango has implemented numerous impactful programs, including:
- "Refriango Brings Schools to Life", which supplies school materials to children and youth.
- Blue Volei Club, a national and international volleyball program promoting healthy lifestyles and extracurricular engagement for students aged 8–15.
- Tigra Nova Garra Awards, launched in 2021 to spotlight young Angolan talent in areas such as health, science, technology, environment, arts, sports, and music, with education added in 2023.
In sustainability, Refriango’s partnerships with Coca-Cola (via the Jamii platform and World Without Waste) and Associação Nação Verde have driven initiatives in environmental education, solid waste collection, recycling, and circular economy development. Projects like beach clean-ups and eco-point installations at Pumangol fuel stations and schools in Luanda exemplify these efforts. Through its "Ecomovement" campaign, with the motto "Together, Let’s Change the Planet," Refriango aims to collect over 5,000 tons of plastic and other waste this year.
Other noteworthy projects include:
- Support for Lucrécia Paim Maternity Hospital and the Oncology Hospital, led by Água Pura.
- Nutry’s permaculture initiative "Ya Tchi Yetu", in partnership with EcoAngola.
- "Turma da Blue" educational program, promoted by the Blue soft drink brand.
Refriango also collaborates on social responsibility projects with its international partners, including Pascual and Diageo.
Recognizing Excellence in Social Responsibility
The first Forbes Social Responsibility Award ceremony was held under the theme “Celebrating Peace, Supporting Society, Investing Fairly”. In total, ten Angolan companies were recognized for their sector-leading contributions to social responsibility.
Through its innovative and purpose-driven initiatives, Refriango continues to set a benchmark for how companies can combine business success with societal impact.
