PEPSICO, DP WORLD & WATERAID EXPAND NIGERIA WASH PROGRAMMES TO LAGOS, BENEFITING ANOTHER 6,500 PEOPLE

…New water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programme delivers solar-powered systems and hygiene education to underserved communities in Nigeria’s capital

PepsiCo and DP World today announced the expansion of their partnership with WaterAid in Nigeria to drive inclusive, sustainable value for the communities they serve.

As part of this expanded partnership, DP World, PepsiCo and WaterAid will launch a climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programme in Lagos, aimed at improving living conditions for more than 6,500 people in underserved communities.

Serving Ikorodu North and Ojodu Local Council Development Areas, the initiative will deliver solar-powered water systems, provide improved sanitation, and offer hygiene education through schools, community groups, and local advocates. This effort reflects the partners’ shared goal to help trade infrastructure benefits the communities it connects, while also reinforcing PepsiCo’s continued investment in Nigeria’s food sector and local sourcing partnerships.

The collaborative initiative is expected to:

• Provide an additional 6,500+ people with access to clean water and improved sanitation

• Reach a further 100,000+ individuals through hygiene awareness campaigns

• Empower 60 women entrepreneurs in WASH-related businesses

• Increase women’s participation in WASH governance

In the Governor’s speech delivered by Commissioner of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment – Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State, stated, “This partnership between PepsiCo and DP World is a powerful example of what true collaboration can achieve – global expertise aligning with local opportunity. For us in Lagos, it means more than business; it means jobs, stronger supply chains, and greater opportunities for our entrepreneurs to participate in global markets. PepsiCo has long been a trusted partner, creating livelihoods and investing in our communities. With DP World bringing its world-class logistics strength, this collaboration will touch lives, energize our economy, and reinforce Lagos as Africa’s commercial hub.”

Wale Edun, OFR – Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, said, “Today’s partnership between PepsiCo and DP World is a renewal of shared commitments and a powerful signal of Nigeria’s future in manufacturing and logistics. By sourcing raw materials domestically and strengthening supply chains, this collaboration not only supports local industries but also positions Nigeria as a hub with long-term export potential. It aligns with our national priorities of food security and efficient logistics – showing that with the right environment, global businesses can thrive here, creating jobs, empowering communities, and placing greater purchasing power in the hands of our people.”

Mohammed Akoojee, CEO and MD, Sub–Saharan Africa Region for DP World said, “Nigeria is a key market for DP World. The collaborative efforts from DP World, PepsiCo and WaterAid demonstrate what is possible when commercial capability is aligned with social purpose. By investing in climate-resilient water systems, empowering local women through enterprise, and reaching individuals with hygiene awareness, we are delivering impact that extends beyond the supply chain, creating a lasting impact in Nigerian communities”. “Our investment in Nigeria is about more than production – it’s about building a supply network that is agile, inclusive, and connected to the needs of local communities.” said Ahmed El-Sheikh, President – Middle East, North Africa and Pakistan and Ethiopia and Nigeria Foods, PepsiCo. “By working with DP World and WaterAid, we can ensure that the benefits of a stronger food system extend beyond the marketplace, improving access to essentials like safe water and creating opportunities that help people thrive.”

“When we invest in safe water, we’re investing in the strength and resilience of entire communities,” said Hatim Khan, Senior Director, PepsiCo Foundation International Programs. “Our work with WaterAid has shown that lasting change happens when solutions are designed and led locally. With DP World joining us in Lagos, we’re not just expanding infrastructure – we’re helping strengthen the networks of people, skills and resources that will sustain access for years to come.”

DP World’s commitment in Lagos builds on its success with the Bauchi State WASH programme, which in its first year has provided solar-powered water systems for 7,000+ people, trained local artisans and hygiene promoters, and achieved 40% female representation in WASH committees, alongside hygiene messaging that reached over 100,000 people.

This initiative further catalyses the PepsiCo Foundation’s existing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) access initiative in Lagos State with WaterAid Nigeria, launched in 2022. Now in its third year, the program has rehabilitated six WASH facilities and helped 54,489 people. Additionally, WASH media campaigns have delivered essential hygiene education to over 800,000 people across the region.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of combining technical expertise, private-sector investment and local leadership. Together, we’re building infrastructure that protects health, advances dignity and gender equity, and strengthens community resilience to climate shocks,” said Evelyn Mere, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria.

Nigeria remains a strategic growth market for both DP World and PepsiCo. PepsiCo works closely with Nigerian suppliers to source key ingredients, and to manufacture world-class food and beverage products locally while DP World’s operations span healthcare, consumer goods, and logistics, employing over 6,000 people and enabling a further 3,500 jobs through its supply chain network.

The launch event in Lagos brought together senior government officials, private-sector leaders, and development partners to highlight the economic and community benefits of the collaboration. It also marked the inauguration of a new PepsiCo manufacturing facility in Lagos, underscoring the company’s continued investment in Nigeria’s food sector and local sourcing partnerships.