Cummins Africa Middle East Receives 7 awards, for outstanding commitment to diversity and gender equity across Africa

Cummins Africa Middle East (AME), a leading provider of power solutions and innovative technology, is thrilled to announce that it has won the coveted Africa Champion Award and an additional six awards at the prestigious Gender Mainstreaming Awards Africa (GMA), hosted by Business Engage on the 5th of October, in Johannesburg. The prestigious Champion Award acknowledges regional excellence and exemplary dedication to gender mainstreaming across the continent. It is a glowing reflection of Cummins' multifaceted approach to creating an inclusive and diverse work environment and the strides made in highlighting the critical role of gender mainstreaming in driving positive change.

GMA now in its 11th year, is a renowned platform that encourages the private sector to buy into achieving more meaningful representation of women in the mainstream of business. It celebrates and honours businesses and individuals committed to taking significant steps towards gender mainstreaming in Southern, East and West Africa. 

The achievement highlights Cummins' steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and gender equity within the workplace and its dedication to promoting inclusivity and equality across all levels of the organisation. 

The awards received by Cummins Africa Middle East are as follows:

• Winner of the overall The Africa Champion Award – Cummins Africa & Middle East
• 1st place in the Investing in Young Women category – CAMFED Zambia program
• 2nd place in the Investing in Young Women category – Cummins East Africa 
• 2nd place in the Empowerment of Women in the Community – Rise Up South Africa Program
• 2nd place in the Investing in Young Women category – TEC South Africa Program 
• 3rd place in the Equal Representation and Participation category – Southern Africa
• 3rd place in the Mainstreaming Gender and Disability category – Cummins South Africa 

The awards are a testament to the company’s six-year progression and ongoing efforts toward its regional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, building on the solid legacy of Cummins Inc.’s long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion. As a core value, the Cummins Africa Middle East region has implemented various initiatives to foster an inclusive work culture where all employees are given equal opportunities to thrive and succeed. Gender equity and equality are two focus areas among other dimensions of diversity and underrepresented groups in the workplace. 

Commenting on the nominations, Lamona Rajah – Strategic Recruiting Leader EMEA and former Diversity, Equity & Inclusion leader for the region said, "We are honoured to receive these awards from GMA and Business Engage. It is the culmination of collaborative efforts by leaders and employees across business segments and countries to live out our core values and leverage our collective diversity. The lessons we have learned from this journey have influenced individual mindsets and workplace practices, and we are committed to winning with the power of Difference.” 

“Cummins’ mission is to power a more prosperous world. Most of the awards won this year were for impactful initiatives that aim to strengthen our communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Lamona adds. The strong link between corporate responsibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion has unlocked many opportunities for a sustainable impact on gender equity and gender mainstreaming in Africa.” Lamona adds.

This recognition is just the beginning for us as part of Global Multinational, committed to making a sustainable impact in Africa, which will impact both businesses and communities. Our leadership's authentic commitment and accountability to this work is a core enabler.

Celebrating this significant achievement, Thierry Pimi, Vice President Cummins Inc. and Managing Director Cummins Africa Middle East added, “DEI is a core value to Cummins, and we are very proud of our journey of driving progress in gender inclusion as a focus pillar of our Diversity strategy in Africa Middle East. We are grateful to Business Engage for this wonderful recognition and will continue in our focus until we achieve equal parity in gender representation in our leadership and our organisation at large.”