Malaysia, Unilever eye closer collaboration on sustainable palm oil in East Africa [BTTV]
06/05/2025 (Business Times), Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia is exploring a strategic partnership with Unilever to strengthen sustainable palm oil sourcing in East Africa, as part of its push to expand market presence and reinforce global sustainability standards.
Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who is leading an official economic and technical mission to Kenya, visited Unilever Kenya, a key hub for the company's palm oil-based product distribution in the region.
"Unilever is one of the world's leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands, with a strong presence in both food and personal care products," he said in a statement today.
"Their operations in Kenya serve as an important base for palm oil utilisation and distribution across East Africa," he added.
Unilever, which owns household brands such as Knorr, Magnum, Dove, Vaseline, Lux and Lifebuoy, is known for maintaining strict sustainability requirements throughout its global supply chain.
Johari said Malaysia's progress in implementing traceability systems and national certification standards, such as the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) scheme, has made it a trusted supplier to international brands like Unilever.
"We are currently exploring a potential partnership between MSPO and Unilever, where Unilever may join the MSPO Impact Alliance," he said.
"This will support Unilever's long-term sustainability goals while ensuring inclusive sourcing models aligned with global best practices."
The proposed collaboration aims to enhance transparency and responsible sourcing within the palm oil supply chain, while further promoting Malaysia's position as a global leader in sustainable palm oil production.
The visit marks a step forward in Malaysia's efforts to deepen economic ties with East Africa and advocate for globally recognised sustainable trade standards.