BAT Kenya Surpasses Key Sustainability Targets Ahead of Schedule
Rita Kavashe BAT Kenya Chairperson (middle), Crispin Achola BAT Kenya Managing Director (right), and Philemon Kipkemoi BAT Kenya Finance Director
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Company reports major wins in emissions reduction, gender parity, and sustainable agriculture in 2024 Combined Report
Nairobi, Kenya – 5 June 2025
BAT Kenya has announced strong performance across its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities in its newly launched 2024 Combined Annual and Sustainability Report, unveiled during the company’s 73rd Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Among the standout achievements, BAT Kenya reports 69% female representation in its Senior Leadership Team, far exceeding its 2025 target of 45%. The milestone marks a significant shift in leadership diversity and inclusion within the company.
Empowering Women in Agriculture
As part of its KES 10 million Rural Women’s Development Programme (RuWDeP), the company has trained 208 women in its contracted tobacco farming network in financial literacy, aiming to enhance economic empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.
In parallel, BAT Kenya has reported that over 98% of its contracted farmers grew alternative crops in 2024—including maize and avocados—as part of efforts to diversify income streams and promote sustainable agriculture.
Climate Action Milestones
On environmental performance, the company achieved a 54% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, surpassing its 2030 target of a 50% reduction from a 2020 baseline. The achievement is anchored in a robust decarbonisation strategy, which includes a target to source 50% of energy from renewables by 2030.
Between 2021 and 2022, BAT Kenya invested KES 145 million in solar infrastructure, expanding its onsite electricity generation to 1,400 kilowatt-peak (kWp).
This progress earned the company multiple accolades at the 2025 Energy Management Awards (EMAs) hosted by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). BAT Kenya was recognized for sustained high performance in renewable energy, thermal energy savings, and transport energy efficiency.
Leadership Commentary
“We are proactively tackling global and local sustainability challenges by building a smokeless world, reducing our resource footprint, and delivering on climate goals,” said Crispin Achola, BAT Kenya Managing Director and General Manager, BAT East & Southern Africa.
“Our combined reporting approach—integrating financial and sustainability metrics—reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and long-term value creation.”
Achola highlighted BAT Kenya’s five core sustainability focus areas: Tobacco Harm Reduction, Climate, Nature, Circularity, and Communities, reaffirming the company’s ambition to drive positive change both internally and across its stakeholder ecosystems.
Looking Ahead
With key milestones already achieved ahead of schedule, BAT Kenya says it remains focused on scaling its impact across environmental stewardship, social equity, and responsible innovation.
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