General News
Strategies for Businesses to be More Sustainable for Tomorrow
By Emmanuel Asika
The world’s natural reserves are fast diminishing at a worrisome speed, almost two times quicker than mother earth can recreate. This figure is projected to be 2.3 times what is sustainable by 2050. Yearly, 50 million tonnes of e-waste contribute to this, which is tantamount to the size of all commercial aircraft ever made.
Hence, achieving a sustainable environment is incumbent on implementing a circular business model like waste reduction, recycling, and regenerating products, and advocating sustainable production processes. Nonetheless, global economy is just 7.2% circular – implying that more ground needs to be covered.
With an essential role expected of multinationals, organizations of every size and sector can still adopt circular business models. Considerably, SMEs are driving platform sharing and collaborative consumption much as start-ups, from the onset, are incorporating circular models.
An excellent example of this seen in Nigeria, where business sustainability focus is circular as propagated by the Nigeria Circular Economy Working Group, a founding member of the Africa Circular Economy Alliance.
Incidentally, HP is deepening sustainability with years of experience. Its operations’ journey, particularly, will be entirely circular, driven by services and products modifications. Below are few approaches to reference:
Getting the Buy-in of the Considerate Consumer
Customers are getting more aware today than ever. So, businesses that make circularity a priority will accomplish long-term environmental and commercial profits; and ultimately fulfil customer expectations.
While circularity models need upfront funding, it helps to reduce outlays, optimize efficiency, and even discover new revenue sources. To further endear customer trust and loyalty, organizations must offer measurement tools that identify waste prevention and cost optimization mechanisms that help to establish enterprise superiority.
Circular enterprise models also produce profitable results. For instance, our Sustainable Impact Strategy has been boosted by HP’s socio-economic components on climate-focused programs.
HP’s alliance with NGOs to launch an ocean-bound plastics recycling program to help indigenous workers is yielding positives in Haiti. Now, these plastics are fused into HP products design aesthetics, encouraging circularity, and providing revenue and homegrown education opportunities.
Start and continue with the environment as a priority
As a rule, circular products are designed with environmental considerations from the start. Sustainable sourcing should be among the initial priorities, with concentration on ethical practices and ambitious but attainable goals.
This ties in to ‘Circular Lagos’, a sustainability initiative of the Lagos State government which seeks to design economic value from waste recycling.
As reference case, HP, since 2016 has mandated all its brand papers to be derived from ecologically reusable or certified sources. It was extended to paper-based packaging in 2020 for home and office printers and supplies, PCs and displays.
By 2030, HP’s goal is to become Forest Positive; thereby, eliminating deforestation for non-HP paper used in print services and product lines.
What creates distinction in packaging is innovation. 100% compostable chitin-based materials are a new development, whereas 3D-printed moulded fibre tooling can drive eco-packaging at scale.
Printing improvements, including printing directly onto product cargo boxes and using water-based inks most likely initiate supplementary benefits. HP’s goal is to eradicate 75% of single-use plastic packaging by 2025 compared to 2018―as of 2021, we were halfway there. Commendable Indeed!
Decrease waste, enhance lifecycle
One vital aspect for electronic devices is energy usage, though this can be puzzling for consumers. Companies and institutions can help customers make valid choices. Also with comparison tools, manufacturers can assist with clear and accurate details on labels, packaging, along with marketing and brand collaterals.
HP supplies are often highly valued for repairability, with institutions like iFixit providing reparability scores and self-repair (DIY) guides. Institutions can help in reducing request for fresh raw supplies by giving extended warranties and ensuring repair options.
Clearly, sustainable customer experience can be improved with ‘as-a-service models’; whilst promoting circularity through company-led takeback; hence, responsible companies aim to be value facilitators via repair and reuse of supplies when customers are done with them.
Significance of closed-loop recycling
Closed-loop reutilizing plays huge part in circularity, and HP is loaded with initiatives to support it. A good case study is HP’s Planet Partners program that helps to ensure that ink and toner cartridges do not end up in landfills.
Over a billion cartridges have been recycled through this program, a major landmark in 2023. Provisionally, HP’s Evocyle toner cartridges, made from closed-loop recycled plastic, are serving the sustainability goals of customers in France, Germany, and the UK.
In the reuse of a much wider range of resources, we are also getting better. For example, you might find bio-derived content like coffee grounds in monitors or cooking oil in laptop covers.
Partnership−a necessary paradigm for enterprise scaling
A circular business model is vital. It’s hinged on team play and partnerships with strategic stakeholders – government, suppliers, merchants/dealers etc. Strengthening networks with NGOs, research institutes, and think tanks, also positions serious institutions above contemporaries. Lagos has entrenched the model by introducing initiatives which encourage community members to drop off used plastic bottles and containers at designated recycling points for reuse.
To improve its fibre sourcing and certification programs, HP is collaborating with World Wildlife Fund and the Forest Stewardship Council.
Regardless of where they are on their circularity journey, collaboration certainly benefits all types of companies. Participating in industry bodies, working with manufacturing partners, and ideas exchange with regulators and professional associations can help advance policy influencing, build consensus, and progress legislation.
Institutions with established existing programs perhaps extend their impact by involving their business environment. Another reference now driving change at scale is HP’s Amplify Impact partner program, which has engaged over 3,500 partners worldwide.
Envision the future
A vision of a more regenerative and sustainable future is presented with the concept of a circular economy. It could boost the global economy by $4.5 trillion by 2030, if executed appropriately, with accountable sourcing and packaging, materials and products that remain in use longer, and closed loop recycling.
Evolution to circularity is now a necessity with no option. To actualize it, we must immediately shift mindsets, embrace circular practices, and cultivate alliance and frameworks essential for success. Bountiful rewards sure await the businesses that leads the way.
Nigeria, the leading importer of electrical and electronic equipment on the African continent which processes over half a million tons of discarded electronics each year, in January 2022, amended its national environmental regulations to tackle the country’s growing e-waste problem.
So, whether you are just starting or already on the path ― the time is here and now to take the next big step. The future is indeed circular, and it’s up to businesses globally to make it come to fruition.
Emmanuel Asika is Country Head, HP Nigeria
PalmPay, a leading fintech platform and neobank driving financial inclusion in Nigeria, is joining the global celebration of Customer Service Week 2025 under the theme “Mission: Possible.” The theme reflects the dedication of PalmPay’s customer service team, who are committed to turning every user interaction into a success story.
As part of the week-long celebration, PalmPay offered free health checks to customers who visited its Customer Experience Office in Ikeja, Lagos. The initiative highlights the company’s human centered approach to customer relations, demonstrating empathy and appreciation while enhancing the overall brand experience.
“At PalmPay, our mission is to ensure that every customer receives professional, timely, and responsive support at all times” said Yetunde Abubakar, Customer Service Team Lead at PalmPay. “Customer Service Week gives us an opportunity to celebrate our dedicated agents who go above and beyond daily to deliver seamless 24/7 assistance across all touchpoints; whether online, over the phone, or via in-app chats.”
PalmPay’s unwavering focus on customer satisfaction continues to earn industry recognition. The company was recently honored with the Consumer Friendly Business of the Year (2025) award by the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) and was featured in the 2024 KPMG West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey for outperforming traditional banks in key areas of service delivery.
These accolades reaffirm PalmPay’s commitment to a customer first culture built on reliability, support and trust. With over 35 million active users and a growing nationwide footprint, PalmPay continues to elevate service delivery while providing tools that make money management easy, rewarding, and accessible for every Nigerian.
Federal Government has unveiled the Nigerian Digital Trustmark Seal, a cybersecurity initiative aimed at enhancing trust, transparency, and safety across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The launch, which coincided with Cybersecurity Awareness Month, was announced during a press conference organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.
The event drew participation from key stakeholders including the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), media representatives, and digital economy experts.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the initiative was designed to verify the authenticity of online platforms, businesses, and organisations, thereby protecting consumers from fraudulent and cloned websites.
“The digital economy has been Nigeria’s fastest-growing sector for almost five years, surpassing oil and gas in GDP contribution,” Inuwa said. “However, as we digitise, challenges emerge.
“Technology is a double-edged sword. While good actors use it to drive efficiency, bad actors exploit it to cause harm and erode public trust.”
He explained that the Digital Trustmark Seal was co-created by NITDA, NACCIMA, and GIZ to serve as a visible indicator of authenticity.
The seal will be displayed on verified websites, enabling citizens to easily distinguish between genuine platforms and malicious ones often used for scams and identity theft.
“This initiative is designed to build trust within our digital ecosystem. Every company, e-commerce platform, business, and government organisation will have a Trustmark seal on their website to ensure authenticity,” he added.
Inuwa noted that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises rebuilding public trust through inclusive governance and promoting transparency in the digital space.
He emphasised that the initiative encourages collaboration between the public and private sectors to jointly design and implement solutions that make Nigeria’s digital environment safer and more trustworthy.
“This initiative will also work closely with the private sector. They are the main drivers of adoption, and it won’t be a challenge because, for them, it helps build reputation and customer confidence,” Inuwa said.
“For citizens, it builds confidence and trust that when they interact and transact online, they are dealing with authentic websites and providers,” he added.
Representing NACCIMA, Mr Suleiman Adebayo Audu, an Advisor to the Association, commended NITDA and GIZ for initiating the project, describing it as “a timely and impactful effort” that will improve business confidence and international perception.
“Many genuine Nigerian businesses lose customers due to a lack of trust. This seal will help restore credibility and make Nigerian SMEs more competitive globally. NACCIMA will work with our state chambers to sensitise members and support them through the verification process,” Audu said.
Mr Chinedu Albert, a consultant with GIZ, reaffirmed the organisation’s support, noting that the initiative aligns with GIZ’s broader mission of promoting safe, inclusive, and transparent digital ecosystems across Africa.
“Trust is the foundation of every digital transaction. Without it, progress slows down. Our role is to provide technical expertise and international best practices to ensure the seal serves all, including women-led businesses and startups,” Albert said.
In his remarks, Director of NITDA’s Cybersecurity Department, Dr Mohammed Lawan, described the initiative as a significant milestone in establishing a robust digital trust infrastructure for Nigeria.
“Trust is the currency of the digital economy. This seal will serve as a verifiable digital signature, reducing fraud and enhancing Nigeria’s reputation globally,” Lawan said.
He announced that NITDA would soon roll out stakeholder engagements, capacity-building workshops, and sensitisation programs to drive nationwide adoption of the Digital Trustmark Seal.
The event concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders, including the media, to play a vital role in amplifying awareness and reshaping Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
This year’s observance of the International Day of the Girl Child began on Wednesday with Glo Foundation, the social responsibility arm of telecommunications company, Globacom, charging secondary school girls across the country to pay attention to their menstrual and mental health.
The Foundation reasoned that this has become imperative if the girls would grow into adulthood with confidence while embracing the future without inhibitions. It made this its focal point of engagement with girls in select schools. This year’s observance, with the theme: “The GIRL I am, the changes I lead: GIRLS on the frontline of crisis”, was an opportunity for the Foundation to reach out to students with information to promote the well-being of the girls.
The health awareness campaign in conjunction with the Health Aid for All Initiative (HAFAI), an NGO, sought to educate 100 girls from each of the selected schools in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Owerri and Kaduna.
The schools included Community Secondary School, Port Harcourt; Methodist Government Junior High School, Agege, Lagos; LGEA Upper Basic School Kudansa, Maraban Rido, Kaduna; Oba Ewuare Grammar School, Oko Central, Benin City; Orogwe Secondary School, Owerri; and Junior Secondary School Dutse Sagwari, Abuja.
According to the Foundation, “Menstrual periods should never be a reason for a girl to lose confidence, miss school, or feel held back. That’s why we put this initiative together where we also provided menstrual care kits to the young girls in these selected states, to ensure that they have not just what they need, but also the reassurance that their growth and dignity matter”.
Dr Ugorchi Ohajuruka, a medical doctor and public health specialist and Mrs Lara Rowland took the students of Methodist Government Junior High School, Agege, Lagos through basic tips on menstrual health management and hygiene, gender based violence, mental health and allied issues of importance. They also encouraged the girls to ask pertinent questions relevant to the topic as well as their overall health and well-being.
The Principal of the school, Mr Olawale Adebakin, reiterated the importance of placing premium on the health and well-being of the girl child. “There is a need to take care of the girl child. We need to protect them so they will be useful for the development of the country,” he added.
The sessions witnessed similar experiences in the other locations selected by Glo Foundation for the observance in Abuja, Kaduna, Benin, Owerri, and Port Harcourt.
Glo Reaffirms Commitment to Excellence @ Customer Service Week
PalmPay Offers Free Health Checks to Celebrate Customer Service Week 2025
NITDA Launches Trustmark Seal to Strengthen Nigeria’s Digital Economy
MTN Deepens Customer-Centric Strategy to Drive Long-Term Growth
STEM Education Receives a Big Boost as Moniepoint Founder Launches Future Builders Fund to Support Nigeria’s Digital Economy Agenda
Telecom2 days agoAirtel Africa Foundation Launches 100 Tech Scholarships for Nigerian Undergraduates
E-Financial2 days agoCBN Makes case for Open Banking Policy @ Nigeria Fintech Week
Telecom2 days agoNCC’s Maida Calls for Unified Action to Accelerate Broadband and Safeguard Telecom Infrastructure
E-Business2 days agoWinning the End-of-Year Market in Nigeria: Strategies for Unstoppable Growth
E-Business2 days agoFirm Introduces a New Training ‘Large Language Models Security’
E-Financial2 days agoBeware of AfriQuantumX Ponzi Scheme- SEC
News1 day agoReport Shows Attackers Impersonate Major Airline Brands in New Business Email Scam
Telecom2 days agoGlobacom Champions Broadband Investment, Infrastructure Security @ NCC Roundtable