Nigerian Agro-Exporter Sunbeth Adopts IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards

Sunbeth Global Concepts has published its inaugural 2025 Sustainability Report, becoming the first agricultural company in Nigeria to voluntarily adopt the IFRS S1 and S2 Sustainability Disclosure Standards. The move aligns the agro-commodities exporter with the global framework issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board for disclosing sustainability risks and opportunities.

This voluntary adoption provides investors and capital providers with the same level of actionable climate and sustainability data expected from major global corporations. For emerging market exporters, bridging this disclosure gap is increasingly critical to maintaining access to international supply chains and financing.

Olasunkanmi Owoyemi, Managing Director of Sunbeth Global Concepts, emphasized that responsible sourcing is fundamental to managing risk and creating long-term value. He noted that while building the necessary systems required significant investment, it ensures the business can continue supporting thousands of farmers reliant on international market access.

The report, titled “Responsible Sourcing, Pioneering Action,” frames sustainability as a core component of strategic decision-making rather than a mere compliance exercise. Oyinkansola Owoyemi, Sustainability Director, stated that the standards force the company to prove responsible practices are foundational to commercial success in a sector exposed to climate risk and global supply chain pressures.

The disclosure outlines concrete operational milestones aimed at securing export viability. These include polygon-mapping over 140,000 hectares and 30,000 farmers to ensure traceability ready for the European Union Deforestation Regulation. Additionally, the company remediated 80 child-labour-risk cases through its Child Labour Monitoring and Remediation Systems programme after joining the International Cocoa Initiative.

Sunbeth also established a 292.81 tCO2e baseline for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, committing to a net-zero-by-2050 target. Alongside these environmental metrics, the company trained over 6,000 farmers and distributed 60,000 hybrid cocoa seedlings to bolster future yields.

Modupe Ojo, Sustainability Manager, highlighted during a pre-launch event that these measures directly support cost management and revenue protection. This operational rigor underpins Sunbeth’s position as Nigeria’s leading non-oil exporter, having shipped over 58,000 metric tonnes of cocoa in 2025.

By integrating climate and social data directly into its financial performance metrics, Sunbeth is setting a new benchmark for the Nigerian agricultural sector. The move demonstrates to global financiers that emerging market agribusinesses can meet the highest tiers of international accountability.