Douala, Cameroon– (10/20/2025) – As part of its Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) initiatives, Olam Agri, a leading agribusiness has successfully commissioned a solar-powered, motorised borehole with a 10,000-litre capacity in the Babenga community, Cameroon.
This project, aptly named “Safe Water”, is a targeted intervention aimed at addressing the urgent need for access to clean and potable water in rural areas. The Babenga community expressed profound gratitude and joy at the commissioning of the borehole, which is expected to significantly reduce the time and effort spent on daily water collection and help mitigate waterborne illnesses. In line with its commitment to long-term sustainability, Olam Agri not only constructed and handed over the borehole but also established a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASHCOM).
In addition, local area mechanics received training to ensure ongoing maintenance and functionality of the facility. Speaking on behalf of the Heads of Families in Babenga, Mr Ekambi Ekambi Emile shared:
“We have faced numerous challenges due to the poor quality of water we previously consumed. Diarrhoea, bacterial infections, cholera and other illnesses were common. Today, we thank God that the heavens have opened so greatly upon Babenga. Olam Agri has gifted us this water pump, which we consider as precious as gold. It will allow us to live healthier lives, just like others.”
Derefaka Derefaka, Project Associate, Global CR&S, Olam Agri, stated: “Water is essential, and that is why we launched the Safe Water project to provide and improve access to safe, clean and drinkable water for our farming and rural communities.
This initiative is especially beneficial to women and children, who traditionally bear the daily responsibility of water collection.” Ashu Ma-Mbeng Success, Head of Corporate Communications and Sustainability for Olam Agri in Cameroon, added: “Water is life. This project has not only given hope but has brought life to the people of Babenga, supporting them to live healthily and reducing water-related health issues.”
The implementation of the borehole was carried out by Roots Suits & Empower, while the water purification and treatment process was managed by MAISON ADA, ensuring the water provided is safe for consumption. This initiative has already begun to positively impact families in the community, improving health outcomes and enhancing quality of life.
About Olam
Agri Olam Agri is a market leading, differentiated food, feed and fibre agri-business with a global origination footprint, processing capabilities and deep understanding of market needs built over 34 years. With a strong presence in high- growth emerging markets and products across grains & oilseeds, freight, integrated feed & protein, rice, edible oils, specialty grains & seeds, sugar, cotton, wood products, rubber and risk management solutions, Olam Agri is at the heart of global food and agri-trade flows with 39.6 million MT in volume traded in 2023. Focused on transforming food, feed and fibre for a more sustainable future, it aims at creating value for customers, enable farming communities to
prosper sustainably and strive for a food-secure future. Olam Agri Holdings Limited, which holds the Olam Agri business, is a 64.6% owned subsidiary of Olam Group. 35.4% of Olam Agri Holdings is owned by SALIC International Investment Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Olam Agri’s strategic partner
The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Company. For more information and to subscribe to our news alerts, please visit https://www.olamagri.com/.
About Olam Group
Olam Group is a leading food and agri-business supplying food, ingredients, feed and fibre to 22,000 customers worldwide. Our value chain spans over 60 countries and includes farming, processing and distribution operations, as well as a global network of farmers. Through our purpose to ‘Re-imagine Global Agriculture and Food Systems’, Olam Group aims to address the many challenges involved in meeting the needs of a growing global population, while achieving positive impact for farming communities, our planet and all our stakeholders. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, Olam Group currently ranks among the top 30 largest primary listed companies in terms of market capitalisation on SGX-ST. Since June 2020, Olam Group has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series, a global sustainable investment index series developed by FTSE Russell, following a rigorous assessment of Olam’s supply chain activities, impact on the environment and governance transparency. More information on Olam can be found at www.olamgroup.com.
Media contact
Name: Ashu Ma-Mbeng Success
T: +237 692 338 89
E: success.ashu@olam-agri.com
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