CAIRO: The Coca-Cola Company has been named “Employer and Human Capital Investor of the Year” at the Africa investor (Ai) Investment and Business Leader Awards 2011. The award, presented on September 23, was handed at an invitation only ceremony during the annual World Bank meetings in Washington DC. Ai is an international investment research and communications group. The award is handed out to promote exceptional business practices, economic achievements and investments across Africa. “To achieve our 2020 Vision, The Coca-Cola Company needs to recruit and retain best-in-class talent,” said Ahmet C. Bozer, President, Eurasia & Africa Group. “Our ongoing workplace efforts in diversity, inclusion, workplace rights and fairness – along with our focus on multicultural marketplaces, customers, consumers, communities and supplier diversity partners – are critical components for sustaining our business.” “The extraordinary diversity of ideas, cultures and beliefs of our global workforce is one of the most important competitive advantages we have as a system,” he concluded. The award was open to any business operating in Africa. Judges looked for the organization that offers the most stimulating and supportive workplace, and encourages the active development of all employees. Staff retention and local staff recruitment were also on the table. “Africa is a key market for The Coca-Cola Company,” said Bill Egbe, President, South Africa Business Unit and head of Pan-African Initiatives. “We have been here for the past 83 years and intend to remain on the continent for the foreseeable future… we invest for the long term. We also believe in investing in our associates, for they make – and have made – The Coca-Cola Company what it is today.” BM
