BASF in South Africa marks historic milestone as the first chemical company to achieve Level 1 B-BBEE status, driving transformation through black women ownership, skills development, and supplier empowerment

 BASF in South Africa proudly announces its achievement of a Level 1 Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) rating, marking a historic milestone as the first chemical company in the country to reach this top status. This accomplishment underscores BASF’s unwavering commitment to meaningful transformation, inclusive economic inclusion, and responsible corporate citizenship, creating shared value for South Africa’s future.

“Achieving Level 1 B-BBEE status is a proud moment for BASF South Africa and far more than a compliance milestone. It reflects our deep commitment to transformation and responsible corporate citizenship,” said Wojciech Kulma, Managing Director, BASF South Africa. “Through investment in people, empowerment of local suppliers, advancement of opportunities for women, and community development, we are shaping an inclusive and sustainable future that drives progress. This is how we create shared value and lasting impact for generations to come.”

BASF’s transformation journey: Empowering people, suppliers, and communities.

BASF is committed to developing future talent through targeted skills initiatives, including bursaries, technical training, leadership programmes, and a comprehensive graduate programme that equips young South Africans for careers in science and engineering. For the 2025/26 cycle, 15 graduates are enrolled in our programme, alongside 12 learners with disabilities, seven interns at production sites, and 11 apprentices, including eight bursary recipients who are children of employees.

Additionally, the BASF South Africa Trust provides bursaries to black female students in chemistry, engineering, and sciences, advancing gender equity in STEM and creating opportunities for talented individuals from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Currently, the trust supports more than 60 Black female students at institutions of higher learning across South Africa.

BASF’s supplier development strategy is designed to strengthen black-owned and women-owned businesses through targeted training, technical support, and access to procurement opportunities. By building resilient and competitive partners, we drive inclusive growth and actively contribute to South Africa’s economic transformation. Importantly, our customers also benefit from enhanced B-BBEE recognition, with 135% of their procurement spend with BASF counting toward their B-BBEE scorecard.

As a responsible corporate citizen, BASF invests in initiatives that expand access to education, strengthen science literacy, empower youth, and promote environmental stewardship. We actively partner with local organizations to create meaningful change through STEM education, food security projects, and volunteer-driven community upliftment. These efforts create opportunities, foster innovation, and deliver long-term social impact, reflecting BASF’s mission to create chemistry for a sustainable future by combining economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility.

A Continuous Commitment to Transformation

Our aspiration to become a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor has been years in the making. From our first B-BBEE audit verification in 2009 to implementing 30% black women ownership in 2017, this achievement reflects a long-standing journey of purposeful action,” said Pfarelo Mutwanamba, Head of Finance, Tax and Controlling – Africa and Chair of the B-BBEE Committee. “While this Level 1 rating is a proud milestone, it also reinforces the responsibility we carry. We remain committed to building an inclusive supply chain, equipping young people with critical skills, uplifting communities, and driving sustainable transformation that delivers measurable impact across our business and society.”