64 Fostering Sustainable Ecosystems Message from CEO Corporate Overview Corporate Governance and Business Ethics About the Report At Arise IIP, we recognize that sustainability and responsible finance go hand in hand. Integrating sustainability into our financial strategy is not only compatible with profitability, it is essential to creating longterm value for our stakeholders and the African continent. Our agricultural value chains in the Benin and Togo Special Economic Zones exemplify this commitment. With a processing capacity of 120,000 metric tons — 5,000 metric tons of which are Rainforest Alliance certified, our operations are on track to reach 150,000 metric tons by 2026. Meanwhile, in Gabon, where forests cover 88% of the country, we continue to support sustainable forestry. Over 4 million hectares of forest within our zones are certified, with partnerships actively advancing the adoption of international standards. Financially, 2024 was a milestone year. We secured targeted sustainability-linked funding, including USD 500,000 from the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI) to support forest conservation in the Congo Basin, and USD 170,000 from the UNDP’s PISTA Program to advance Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. Additionally, we attracted USD 450 million in investment capital - fueled by confidence in our integrated industrial park model and its ability to deliver climatesmart infrastructure, circular value chains, and inclusive job creation. This chapter details how we embed sustainability into supply chain management from ethical sourcing and product health and safety to building resilient agricultural and timber value chains. Our approach is anchored in strong governance, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that financial resources are deployed to accelerate impact at scale. Looking forward, we remain committed to proving that Africa’s industrial transformation can be both commercially successful and environmentally responsible. We invite you to explore this chapter to understand how sustainable supply chains are shaping the future of African industry. Sincerely, George Olaka Chief Financial Officer, Arise IIP Chief Financial Officer Message from
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