KFC AFRICA
KFC AFRICA
AKHONA QENGQ LEADING TRANSFORMATION & SUSTAINABILITY AT KFC AFRICA
Project by: Malvern Kandemwa
Words by: Michelle Duncan
As the first Black female General Manager for KFC Africa, Akhona Qengqe holds a mandate that spans both strategic leadership and operational excellence. She oversees the direction and performance of the business across the continent, driving ambitious expansion plans that include opening 100 new restaurants across 22 markets.
In parallel with this growth agenda, Qengqe is committed to advancing inclusivity, female empowerment, and community upliftment. Central to this mission is the Add Hope programme, which provides access to nutritious meals for underserved communities.
Her vision is to guide KFC Africa through a transformative phase defined by innovation, sustainable growth, diversity, and meaningful social impact. In doing so, she aims to champion and inspire local female talent and underrepresented groups across the region.
KFC continues to position itself as one of the most impactful purpose-driven brands in South Africa. The organisation is still deeply committed to empowering young people, advancing opportunities for women, and proving itself as the employer of choice within the quick-service restaurant sector. Alongside these priorities, KFC is focused on reduc-
ing its environmental footprint working closely with farms and suppliers, while improving packaging solutions and adopting more sustainable approaches to restaurant development.
KFC has long proven leadership in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, particularly in South Africa, where ESG principles gained prominence following the King III Report in 2009. This period marked the launch of two cornerstone social impact initiatives—Add Hope and KFC Mini-Cricket which have since embedded ESG at the core of the organisation’s operations. Over the past sixteen years, Add Hope has raised more than R1.2
billion to combat hunger among vulnerable children nationwide. Notably, approximately 60% of these funds have been contributed by customers, who are given the opportunity to donate R2 with each purchase. The initiative has delivered over 372 million meals, and a recent impact assessment described it as a “powerful force for good,” positively influencing individuals, families, communities, and the nation at large.
Similarly, KFC Mini Cricket has played a transformative role in grassroots sports development, empowering more than 2.5 million children. Each year, the programme engages over 125,000
participants across 6,600 schools, with more than 45,000 matches facilitated by upwards of 11,000 volunteer coaches. Beyond introducing young players to cricket, the initiative fosters essential life skills, teamwork, and discipline. A recent assessment recognised it as a flagship development platform with far-reaching social impact.
The sustained success of these programmes underscores the strategic importance of integrating ESG considerations into every aspect of KFC’s decision-making, reinforcing its commitment to long-term value creation and meaningful societal contribution.
ADD HOPE HAS RAISED MORE THAN R1.2 BILLION TO COMBAT HUNGER AMONG VULNERABLE CHILDREN NATIONWIDE.
NOTABLY, APPROXIMATELY 60% OF THESE FUNDS HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTED BY CUSTOMERS
DELIVERING SUCCESS THROUGH INTELLIGENT SUPPLY CHAIN INNOVATION
Digistics is a South African logistics partner dedicated to “delivering your success” by aligning our operations with your unique business strategy Our vision is to provide “the perfect delivery”, a goal we achieve by prioritising customer needs and synchronising the critical exchange between people and information.
We are not just another service provider; we exist to live and breathe the success of our partnerships.
Our robust network features six distribution centres across South Africa’s major commercial regions, optimised by inland cross-docking capabilities. We have expanded this footprint with dedicated facilities in Mauritius, Namibia, and Zambia, ensuring brands receive localised expertise and a seamless supply chain across borders.
Innovation is the heartbeat of our fleet We operate the largest fleet of axle trailers in South Africa, utilising hybrid regeneration technology to capture kinetic energy and power our refrigeration units This is complemented by our solar truck technology, which integrates panels onto vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions Our specialised vehicle design also allows for the simultaneous transport of frozen, chill, and ambient products, maintaining temperature integrity in a single shipment
We maintain a self-sufficient mindset, generating power through solar and battery storage at our facilities to ensure continuity during grid disruptions Furthermore, we champion a circular economy by converting clients’ used cooking oil into biodiesel Our leadership in sustainability was solidified by receiving four prestigious awards for sustainability and risk management respectively, backed by four simultaneous ISO and RTMS certifications, we provide a resilient, eco-friendly supply chain.
R TED A PARTNERSHIP
IN GOODNESS
Behind South Africa’s most iconic chicken is a partnership built on a shared obsession with quality.
As a leading poultry producer, Sovereign is proud to stand alongside KFC, acting as the reliable source upholding the high standards South Africans expect every single day.
For over 70 years, Sovereign has defined its legacy through integrity and uncompromising rigor. Today, as one of the country’s largest producers, we combine massive scale with pinpoint precision. Supplying a global leader like KFC requires more than just volume; it demands a culture of continuous innovation and a “Tier One” mindset that ensures every delivery is as perfect as the last.
Quality at Sovereign isn’t a final check - it’s embedded in our DNA. From our world-class farming operations to our cutting-edge processing facilities, every step of our value chain is designed for total traceability and efficiency. In the fast-paced world of quick-service retail, our operational expertise ensures that KFC teams can focus on what they do best: serving meals that people love.
Food safety remains the heartbeat of this partnership. Sovereign operates under international-standard, stringent, quality assurance systems, aligning local regulatory excellence with global best practices. Our rigorous testing and comprehensive monitoring provide more than just compliance; they provide peace of mind.
“Our relationship with KFC reflects a shared commitment to delivering real value to the consumer,” says Gerald Walter, Commercial Director at Sovereign. “We are proud to support a brand that prioritises excellence at every level, and we remain focused on strengthening this bond through technological investment and operational leadership.”
Ultimately, great chicken is about trust. Trust in the people who produce it, the systems that protect it, and the partnerships that bring it to the table. As KFC continues to grow across the nation, Sovereign remains dedicated to providing the quality foundation that makes every meal memorable, and ‘Full of Goodness’.
KFC’S SUSTAINABILITY OPERATIONS
Despite being the largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) brand in South Africa, KFC continues to experience demand that exceeds current capacity, with 1,169 restaurants in operation. As a result, the business stays actively engaged in finding and securing new sites to support its ongoing expansion.
At the same time, KFC is highly conscious of the environmental implications associated with construction and development. To address this, all new builds and refurbishments are governed by the company’s global Building Green standards, which are designed to minimise environmental impact and promote sustainability. These standards include optimised heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, efficient exhaust hoods, energy-efficient cooking and refrigeration equipment, and the elimination of CFC and HCFC refrigerants. More measures include energy-efficient lighting solutions, reduced water consumption across both building operations and kitchen processes, and the implementation of no-smoking policies within and around restaurant premises.
Beyond environmental considerations, each new KFC restaurant delivers tangible socio-economic benefits. On average, every location creates approximately 35 direct jobs, contributing to local employment and economic activity. New developments also play a role in enhancing sur-
rounding infrastructure, from roads and utilities to the introduction of modern technologies such as Wi-Fi, advanced pointof-sale systems, and self-service kiosks.
Importantly, each restaurant serves as a contemporary community hub bringing people together while simultaneously reinforcing KFC’s commitment to sustainable growth. This dual impact, combining economic upliftment with environmental responsibility, underpins the brand’s broader vision for longterm, inclusive development.
There is a clear gap between major players such as KFC and smaller chains that are still in the preliminary stages of ESG adoption. In general, progress has tended to be strongest in environmental initiatives, while social and governance efforts have lagged. KFC Africa is bucking that trend. We have made strong progress environmentally, but this is complemented by our commitment to feeding people’s potential and nurturing talent. This is not a box-ticking exercise for us. It is about sustainability, but it is also about driving growth for the business and for our team members.
In 2021, we launched Streetwise Academy to support skills development, and last year it held its largest graduation event to date. Our aim is that by 2026, more than 1,500 team members will have received certificates accredited by the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). The courses range
Digistics is a South African logistics partner dedicated to “delivering your success” by aligning our operations with your unique business strategy. Our vision is to provide “the perfect delivery”, a goal we achieve by prioritising customer needs and synchronising the critical exchange between people and information. We are not just another service provider; we exist to live and breathe the success of our partnerships.
Our robust network features six distribution centres across South Africa’s major commercial regions, optimised by inland cross-docking capabilities. We have expanded this footprint with dedicated facilities in Mauritius, Namibia, and Zambia, ensuring brands receive localised expertise and a seamless supply chain across borders.
Innovation is the heartbeat of our fleet. We operate the largest fleet of axle trailers in South Africa, utilising hybrid regeneration technology to capture kinetic energy and power our refrigeration units. This is complemented by our solar truck technology, which integrates panels onto vehicles to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Our specialised vehicle design also allows for the simultaneous transport of frozen, chill, and ambient products, maintaining temperature integrity in a single shipment.
We maintain a self-sufficient mindset, generating power through solar and battery storage at our facilities to ensure continuity during grid disruptions. Furthermore, we champion a circular economy by converting clients’ used cooking oil into biodiesel. Our leadership in sustainability was solidified by receiving four prestigious awards for sustainability and risk management respectively, backed by four simultaneous ISO and RTMS certifications, we provide a resilient, eco-friendly supply chain.
from National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 3 to NQF Level 8. The academy also offers fast-food services learnerships for young jobseekers.
We also offer Ikusasa Lethu scholarships, which provide access to quality education for children who are Add Hope beneficiaries or whose parents work for KFC, giving them the opportunity to receive a full scholarship at one of the Curro schools across the country.
Women make up well over half of KFC Africa’s 40,000-plus team members across 22 countries, and I am deeply enthusiastic about developing their potential. One of our key initiatives is Women on the Move, which I launched in 2021 while serving as Chief People Officer. Each year, it supports
around 20 to 30 women and prepares them for future leadership roles at KFC through a combination of formal training, personal development, mentorship, and peer learning circles. This is helping to develop the next generation of female leaders within the business, and the wider impact has been remarkable. Seeing women who look like them go through a transformational journey and move into leadership positions inspires others to believe in their own potential.
CHALLENGES KFC FACED ADVANCING IN ESG
The most visible challenge is single-use packaging. I am pleased to say that all KFC consumer-facing packaging is now reusable, recyclable, or compostable. We
have also moved toward more sustainable materials, dropped unnecessary packaging, and strengthened our recovery and recycling systems.
Another key challenge is the complexity of the supply chain. KFC sources all its chicken locally from farms that meet global animal welfare standards, and by 2030 we are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across our supply chain by 46%, compared with 2019. The same target applies to our restaurants, corporate offices, and transport network, and we are making encouraging progress toward achieving it.
Implementation can also be challenging within a franchise model, as it can be difficult to ensure consistent ESG execution
across all locations. In addition, consumer expectations continue to evolve as customers increasingly want sustainable practices, but they are still understandably price-sensitive and convenience-driven, making it difficult to balance all three priorities.
The rapid growth of the quick-service restaurant sector is largely driven by convenience and affordability. Historically, however, those benefits have often come at the expense of public health and sustainable, healthy living. Research has consistently shown a strong link between frequent fast-food consumption and serious metabolic and cardiovascular risks.
KFC is transparent about the quality of its products and ingredients, and because we actively
promote an active lifestyle and a balanced diet, we make sure customers have a clear understanding of what they are eating.
We are close to meeting our 2025 target of removing artificial colours, artificial flavours, and partially hydrogenated oils from core ingredients. To date, we have eliminated more than 90% of these components, and by 2030, half of core menu items across main dishes, combos, and sides will offer lower-calorie options. This aligns with Yum! Brands’ nutrition strategy and policy, which is consistent with World Health Organization guidelines.
Akhona Qengqe’s background spans several industries, including petroleum, property, marketing operations, and convenience retail. She has held leadership
roles such as Chairperson of the Board of the Franchise Association of South Africa and has played an active role in organisational transformation, diversity, inclusion, and talent development at KFC.
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