The Corporate Awards 2023: Recognizing Excellence in HR Practices in Africa

The 9th edition of The Corporate Awards, organized by FabAfriq Media Group, took place in Cameroon on December 1, 2023. This prestigious event brought together key players in the business world to celebrate and recognize companies with outstanding human resources practices throughout Africa.

      The Ceremony

Hosted at the Best Western Hotel, the 9th edition of The Corporate Awards welcomed over 300 business professionals. The event was sponsored by betPawa, Prudential Beneficial Insurance, and Ecobank, and aimed to honor the companies contributing to the growth of the Cameroonian economy.

    Selection Process

More than 35 companies expressed interest in participating in the 9th edition of The Corporate Awards. After a thorough analysis, only 15 companies were selected based on well-defined criteria in ten categories. These categories included "employer of choice, internal customer service, investing in personnel, health, safety and environment, impact and sustainability, corporate social responsibility, employee relations, innovation and adaptability, workplace well-being, and diversity & inclusion."

The winners were determined through two processes: public choice and internal research. The public choice process involved an online survey conducted by The Corporate Awards team, allowing the public to nominate companies. The nominated companies were then subjected to online voting, with the winners being those with the highest number of votes in each category. Additionally, 14 companies participated in the internal research process, which included questionnaires, interviews, and video recordings to gather more information and evidence supporting their responses.

           The Winners

    Public Choice Winners

- Service Client: Bliz Enterprise

- Health, Safety, and Environment: Gaz Du Cameroun

- Employer of Choice: Maviance

- Most Innovative: Maviance

- Corporate Social Responsibility: Addax Petroleum

      Internal Research Winners

- Internal Customer Service: Union Bank Of Cameroon

- Employer of Choice: Nestlé Cameroun

- Investing in Personnel: IHS Towers

- Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE): Olam Agri

- Impact and Sustainability (ESG): Telcar Cocoa

- Workplace Well-being: Nestlé Cameroun

- Corporate Social Responsibility: Addax Petroleum

- Employee Relations: Bliz Enterprise

- Innovation and Adaptability: Maviance

- Diversity and Inclusion: ACTIVA

    Special Recognition

- Agent of Change: Thomas Nsongka Jr, CEO of Innovative Gaming & betPawa Cameroon

Additional Information

To support our public relations efforts, here are some additional details about the winners in each category:

Investing in Personnel: IHS Towers

IHS Towers was recognized as the winner in the "Investing in Human Capital" category. The company has implemented robust personnel development programs aimed at enhancing knowledge, skills, and professional growth. IHS continually seeks ways to improve employee skills and professional development by investing in both internal and external training programs. The IHS Academy, for example, offers 20,000 free training courses for employee and intern professional development. For those who wish to pursue paid courses, IHS covers 65% of the tuition fees and provides seamless work management and support.

 Diversity and Inclusion: ACTIVA

ACTIVA has created an inclusive and diverse workplace, free from discrimination. Their internal and external recruitment policies promote equal opportunities regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or religious affiliation. ACTIVA's workforce consists of 54% men and 46% women, with a remarkable 39% of women in leadership positions. The company encourages diversity training through the Activa Academy, an internal training platform accessible to all employees.

Employer of Choice: Nestlé

Nestlé Cameroon has stood out as an employer of choice due to its ongoing commitment to providing a workplace that offers equal growth opportunities and employee development. The company has implemented an impressive program called the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which mentors underperforming employees to identify and transform their challenges into strengths, enabling them to perform at their best. Additionally, managers regularly visit offices to ensure that all employees understand their goals and provide assistance when needed. During the hiring process, Nestlé evaluates applicants based on their skills, experience, and most importantly, their character, ensuring that the hired individuals are of good moral character and contribute to the overall well-being of their colleagues.

Employee Relations: Bliz Enterprise

Bliz Enterprise has made positive efforts to maintain strong relationships with its employees and effectively manage disputes and conflicts within the workforce, fostering a positive team dynamic. The company has implemented various programs to create an environment of respect, understanding, and productivity. One such program is the Reflection Gateway, which addresses concerns and reduces unresolved conflicts. Bliz Enterprise also prioritizes employee well-being by offering flexible working arrangements to reduce burnout and enhance productivity.

 Innovation and Adaptability: Maviance

Maviance Plc consistently provides innovative solutions in their sector, redefining employee development and engagement within the company. The entire staff gathers twice a week for brainstorming sessions to improve their work and work environment. Maviance is at the forefront of integrating technology to enhance employee experience, with a cloud-based infrastructure that enables remote work and ensures business continuity in unforeseen disruptions.

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE): Olam Agri

Olam Agri adheres to ergonomic standards and other safety regulations, implementing rules and legislation that address workplace safety and environmental management practices. The company properly manages its factory waste by directing liquid waste to a pond for testing and risk assessment, while solid waste is provided to companies producing animal feed. Olam Agri also provides daily free food and fruits to all its workers, encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): Addax Petroleum

Addax Petroleum engages in meaningful CSR initiatives that have a positive impact on the community. The company supports government initiatives and community engagement. Addax has equipped medical laboratories in hospitals and biology and chemistry labs in secondary schools and universities in Cameroon. The company has also contributed to the fight against infant mortality and malaria by donating incubators and mosquito nets to select hospitals.

Service Client: Union Bank Of Cameroon

Union Bank of Cameroon won the Service Client category due to its internal training program focused on empathy, active listening, and employee proactivity. Through these programs, employees have acquired the necessary non-technical skills to handle unique interactions with clients, improving internal collaboration and employee satisfaction. Union Bank of Cameroon also emphasizes understanding the needs of each employee, enabling the bank to better comprehend their experience and make adjustments that enhance employee satisfaction, collaboration, and a sense of belonging within the organization.

Workplace Well-being: Nestlé

Nestlé has implemented and maintained programs for the physical, mental, social, and financial well-being of all its employees. This includes regular and timely salary payments, as well as access to psychologists to support employees' mental health. The company offers a six-month maternity leave for its female employees and provides a dedicated maternity room where mothers can comfortably breastfeed their babies upon returning to work. Nestlé also offers flexible work policies, allowing employees to work remotely when necessary.

 CSR and Sustainability (ESG): Telca Cocoa

Telca Cocoa has integrated sustainability into its core business practices, demonstrating a commitment to ESG principles and contributing to a sustainable and environmentally friendly environment. The company has distributed solar-powered dryers and cassava mills to farmers in the southwest region of Cameroon. Telca Cocoa has also built over 50 wells, four schools, and provides over 2,000 scholarships to underprivileged individuals each school year.