Invictus Investment Company Plc (ADX: INVICTUS), a prominent agro-food enterprise in the Middle East and Africa, has published its second annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report for the year ending December 31, 2024. The report, prepared according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Standard and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, details the company’s ESG framework, performance, and initiatives across three main pillars: Environmental Stewardship, Social Empowerment, and Ethical Governance and Partnerships.

The company’s revenue rose by 10.1% year-on-year to AED 8.9 billion in 2024, with commodity transaction volumes reaching a record high of 8.2 million metric tonnes. Invictus Investment is dedicated to a strong ESG approach that emphasizes sustainable growth while evolving into a fully integrated agro-food enterprise. Central to the company’s strategy is corporate governance, which stresses ethical business practices and responsible corporate citizenship to create value for all stakeholders and drive positive change.

Amir Daoud Abdellatif, CEO of Invictus Investment, emphasized the importance of maintaining the company’s values in the pursuit of long-term sustainable growth. He noted that in 2024, the company built on the initial materiality assessment from its first ESG report, focusing on refining strategies and integrating sustainability into all business operations. This includes implementing these principles into acquisitions such as Graderco, a Moroccan agro-trading leader where Invictus holds a majority 60% stake, and the recent acquisition of Merec Industries in Mozambique. Abdellatif stated, “For a company like ours, focused on long-term sustainable growth, it’s essential that we continue to uphold our values and demonstrate our commitment to Environmental Stewardship, Social Empowerment, and Ethical Governance and Partnerships.”

The 2024 ESG report highlights several initiatives undertaken by the company. In terms of Environmental Stewardship, Invictus Investment has increased its investment in renewable energy solutions and operational efficiencies. This included conducting energy audits at key facilities and organizing workshops for employees on energy conservation. Notably, the company introduced waste management measures and advanced recycling systems in areas with high water consumption, supported by improved monitoring and data analytics to address inefficiencies.

In fostering Social Empowerment, Invictus Investment made significant strides in promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. The number of women employed by the company increased by 50% compared to 2023, with women now holding 11% of senior management positions, a threefold increase. The company allocated over AED 1.3 million in 2024 for training, education, and wellness programs, which is more than double the amount spent in 2023. The workforce undertook a total of 1,763 hours of training, representing a fourfold increase from the previous year.

Additionally, Invictus Investment has enhanced its Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices, including improvements in hazard identification, routine inspections, and incident reporting systems. The company also emphasized customer care through an upgraded Quality Management System (QMS) and Food Safety Management System (FSMS) to ensure product safety.

In strengthening Ethical Governance and Partnerships, Invictus Investment maintained its robust corporate governance framework, reporting zero cases of corruption or ethical grievances in 2023. The company ensures that all suppliers comply with its code of conduct, with 32% of new suppliers screened based on environmental and social criteria, up from 25% in 2023. In 2024, 95% of employees completed cybersecurity training, compared to 80% the previous year.

As Invictus Investment looks to the future, it remains committed to enhancing its efforts across its ESG pillars, prioritizing environmental sustainability, social empowerment, and ethical governance in all operations.

About Invictus Investment: Invictus Investment Company PLC was established in March 2022 and is headquartered in Dubai. It focuses primarily on agro-food commodities through its subsidiary, Invictus Trading FZE, which was founded in February 2014. Originally offering procurement services for raw materials and finished goods in the MENA region, the company has expanded its portfolio to include various products such as barley, corn, and sugar, operating across 54 countries with a focus on midstream and downstream acquisitions in the agro-food value chain.