PZ Cussons is hoping to convince its global suppliers to set up operations in Nigeria, according to a report published by The Nation.

The drive is part of the company’s commitment to local development as well as reducing the its own reliance on costly imports. CEO Christos Giannopoulos noted at a press conference that Nigeria is not currently optimising its raw material supply, leading to an over-dependence on imports.

To that end, the company has started to produce its own palm oil in Nigeria. “PZ has bought its associate companies and got 26 hectares of plantation land, which allows us to produce palm oil in Nigeria. Nigeria was once the biggest palm plantation in the world. So, we are playing our part to be able to reduce the amount of foreign goods that Nigeria requires,” said Giannopoulos.