BP in the Southern Africa Region

BP is the second biggest integrated energy company in the world. BP operates in more than 100 countries world wide and employs more than 100,000 people, of whom 2,500 employees are in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. BP is a world leader in the development of cleaner fuels and renewable energy. It is the world’s largest producer and user of photo-voltaic solar panels. 

BP is also pioneering technologies for the hydrocarbons in the production of cleaner power whilst employing the latest technology to minimize carbon emissions in hydrocarbon exploration and production.

BP’s presence in the Southern Africa region dates back more than 80 years.  The company’s interests range from downstream refining and marketing of petroleum products in Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to the upstream exploration and production business in Angola.  In the Downstream business of our operation, BP is a market leader in some of these countries whereas in the Angola Upstream business, the Company expects first oil in 2007.

governance and transparency

BP has been an active participant in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative since its launch.  In Africa BP participates in the initiative in Angola.  BP has a zero tolerance stance on corruption and is committed to progressive ways in which high ethical standards are maintained in all the company’s operations. 

In 2002 the ethical conduct assurance processes were strengthened with the introduction of the global initiative “Open Talk”, whereby concerns can be raised anonymously if necessary and breaches exposed, investigated and action taken.  In Africa a roll out programme enabled wide discussions of the BP ethical conduct policy with suppliers and contractors.

Compliance and Ethics Certification Reports are compiled annually and submitted to London. These reports provide a key indicator, for the Group Chief Executive, and the Ethics and Environmental Assurance Committee of the Board, on the extent to which BP is complying with applicable laws and regulations and BP’s ethical conduct policy.

Code of Conduct booklets and training were undertaken for all our employees in all work sites during 2005.

enterprise

Enterprise development is one of the four pillars of the BP’s corporate responsibility across Africa in addition to promoting SME (small and medium enterprises) participation in our operations. BP actively promotes partnerships and initiatives that facilitate SME development.  BP led the implementation of an innovative approach to improving SME access to business opportunities through the Private Sector Initiative model in Tanzania and Malawi. Through the Private Sector Initiative, a mechanism was created for sustainable and mutually profitable linkages between large corporations on one hand and SME on the other, in such aspects as extensive utilisation of capabilities in technology and organization, use of local suppliers etc.

In Angola, BP has implemented programmes to promote procurement from indigenous suppliers and implements programmes to empower and assist local contractors/suppliers to attain world class standards of operation.

Broad based Black economic empowerment deals have been concluded in South Africa. We allocated 30% of the US$300m we spend on non-hydrocarbon goods and services with Black Economic Empowerment companies in 2005.

human development

BP recognizes that it is people that are the real wealth of the company.  Despite the capital intensive nature of the oil industry, people are at the center of BP’s growth in Africa.

The company’s driving principle has been to empower employees, with the ultimate goal being to have BP operations in Africa run by highly skilled Africans. BP has taken active steps to build the indigenous skills base through its regional and international cross-postings to build and transfer skills.  

Through its corporate responsility the company supports education in the communities it operates.  The company’s Employee Engagement programme, encourages employees to volunteer their skills and resources in the development of communities by matching any contributions they make to community efforts. 

Community and Social Investment Projects particularly in education, HIV/Aids/Malaria/TB and environment are undertaken in virtually all countries where we operate.

perceptions of africa

In 2005 BP launched an annual Southern Africa Sustainability Report, which forms part of a group wide initiative to account in detail for our environmental, economic and social performance on a regular basis and covers our activities for 2004, identifying challenges and shortfalls in our areas of operations. The report is a reference to our commitment for being open and transparent in our dealings with our stakeholders.

Our involvement within the Southern African countries is long-standing and the experience gained assists in ensuring that business prospers. Our business success in turn contributes directly to the economy of the region and our operations are an example of how business can succeed on the continent.