Illovo Sugar Africa
Food and Beverage ManufacturingKwazulu-natal, South Africa1001-5000 Employees
Illovo Sugar Africa operates as ABF Sugar's African arm, drawing on a legacy of more than 130 years in Africa and producing around 1.5 million tons of sugar annually, using cane from its own plantations and independent growers. The organization is part of ABF Sugar, the sugar division of Associated British Foods, which has owned Illovo since 2016, and maintains a central leadership with business units in the UK, Spain, and Africa (Eswatini, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia). In addition to sugar, it produces co-products like molasses and furfural, which are further processed into other value-generating products. Most of the sugar produced in Africa is sold in domestic markets, reflecting a focus on serving local consumers and customers. The group uses residue cane fiber as a renewable fuel to power around 90% of its factory and field operations, and pursues community-focused initiatives under its Thriving Community framework through partnerships with local stakeholders. A recent development includes a partnership with IFC in Malawi announced in 2025 to reduce water and energy use and support jobs along the agriculture supply chain.