At AQ Roses, Corporate Social Responsibilityy (CSR) is more than a business requirement. It’s a commitment that shapes how the company operates and how it supports the people around it. Since 2006, AQ Roses has not only produced premium roses for export but also nurtured opportunities, uplifted communities, and invested in sustainable solutions for the future.
Located in Batu Town, 162 kilometers south of Addis Ababa, AQ Roses has thrived over the past 19 years, cultivating 50.5 hectares of roses for the European market. Yet beyond its thriving greenhouses, the company’s greatest pride lies in the people it uplifts.
More than 1,500 jobs have been created, alongside countless lives touched through deliberate, community-centered initiatives. With a firm belief that business growth should be paired with social progress, AQ Roses follows a triple bottom-line philosophy that places people, planet, and profit on equal footing.
CSR in Action: Transforming Lives, One Project at a Time
Driven by a clear CSR policy and a dedicated committee, the company ensures every program is transparent, fair, and relevant to the needs of the surrounding communities. Here’s a look at some of the projects making a lasting difference:
- Clean Water Access: A new community water tap now provides reliable, safe drinking water.
- Improved Infrastructure: An 11-kilometer road built from the railway to Koftu has improved transportation and local accessibility.
- Education Support: School supplies distributed to underprivileged students in the Woreda have increased attendance and enhanced learning opportunities.
- Healthcare Access: Health insurance coverage for 30 low-income households has made medical care more attainable.
- Youth Empowerment: A mobile car wash project in Kilole Woreda has created sustainable jobs for unemployed youth.
- Agricultural Support: One hectare of land was ploughed for nearby farmers, boosting food production and supporting household incomes.
- Better Governance: Construction of the Gimbichu Woreda Office has improved access to public services for the community.
- Peace and Stability: Community service programs have promoted greater cooperation and harmony in the area.
- Worker Welfare: Free distribution of wheat and maize flour supported AQ Roses’ workers through economically difficult times.
Strong Values
Integrity, inclusivity, responsibility, and innovation are the core values that drive every decision at AQ Roses. These principles shape how the company cares for its employees, works with its partners, and engages with the environment. CSR efforts are especially directed at marginalized groups and designed to deliver practical, lasting solutions for the community. For AQ Roses, growing roses is only part of the story. The company remains committed to growing futures, building stronger communities, and setting an example for responsible business
Source: EHPEA
