In a festive awards ceremony in Berlin, LIMBUA was honored with the CSR Award of the German Federal Government 2025 by State Secretary Lilian Tschan, in the category “Digital Tools for Transparent Supply Chains.” The award recognizes companies that combine corporate social responsibility with entrepreneurial action.
The CSR Award of the Federal Government: Making Responsibility Visible
The CSR Award (Corporate Social Responsibility) of the German Federal Government is presented by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). Since its launch in 2013, the award has recognized companies that combine corporate social responsibility with entrepreneurial action.
LIMBUA stood out among nearly 150 applicants. The ceremony highlighted how differently companies address social, ecological, and economic topics along their supply and value chains.
The winners were selected by a high-profile jury through a multi-stage, science-based evaluation process.
(L–R): Lissa Bettzieche – German Institute for Human Rights, Dr. Nicola Brandt – Head of the OECD Berlin Centre, Matti Spiecker – Founder of LIMBUA, Lilian Tschan – State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS). Photo: J. Konrad Schmidt
Around 200 invited guests attended the event, including jury members, nominees, and representatives from politics, business, and civil society. In a ceremonial setting, Lilian Tschan, State Secretary at BMAS and Chair of the Jury, presented the award to Matti Spiecker.
During the ceremony, he summarized LIMBUA’s perspective as follows: “We believe in a future where smallholder farmers are not just raw material suppliers but equal partners in the global value chain. This award encourages us to continue on this path.”
CSR Award video about LIMBUA
From Fingerprint to Traceable Macadamias – Digital Traceability
LIMBUA’s supply chain begins on the organic mixed farms of contract smallholder farmers in Kenya. From the moment macadamia nuts, mangoes, and avocados are purchased, we use a biometric fingerprint identification system. Each harvest is clearly assigned to the respective farmer. Payments are made digitally via mobile phone – with documented processes.
In this way, key interfaces within our supply chain are digitally connected. This means that macadamia nuts are traceable from smallholder farms through processing and up to export.
At LIMBUA, macadamia sourcing in rural Kenya is digitalized
Custom Software for Digital Processes and Certifications
The processing chain – from sorting and cracking nuts to processing mangoes and avocados, packaging, and export – is digitally documented. We use proprietary software solutions for procurement, processing, quality assurance, and certification. In addition, certification processes for our organic and social standards are digitized. This supports compliance with legal requirements such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.
More than 9,000 contract smallholder farmers are integrated into LIMBUA’s digital supply chain. The documented purchasing and payment processes support collaboration with international buyers and enable traceable digital payments to smallholder farmers.
In addition, more than 5,000 hectares of farmland have already been converted to organic farming. Our approach combines digital documentation with decentralized procurement and processing structures.
Using biometric identification, each harvest can be assigned to an individual farmer
About the CSR Award of the German Federal Government
The CSR Award of the German Federal Government is a central element of Germany’s national CSR strategy. Its aim is to make responsible business practices visible and encourage companies to combine economic goals with social and environmental responsibility.
- Good Business Practices
- Constructive Stakeholder Engagement
- Digital Tools for Transparent Supply Chains
- Effective Training and Education
- Climate & Biodiversity
The awarded initiatives demonstrate how companies can contribute to human rights, environmental protection, and good corporate governance along their supply and value chains.
The winners were selected by an independent expert jury.
State Secretary Lilian Tschan and Chair of the CSR Award 2025 jury. Photo: J. Konrad Schmidt
Conclusion on the CSR Award 2025
For LIMBUA, the CSR Award is more than an award – it is a recognition of the entire network behind it: our dedicated teams in Kenya and Germany, our more than 9,000 contract smallholder farmers, and everyone worldwide who is committed to digital and traceable supply chains.
The award encourages us to continue developing the path we have taken.
We say thank you – and continue moving forward.
Ready for export: key interfaces within the LIMBUA supply chain are digitally connected.
