Annual Reporting: Why OCP Africa have got it right

OCP Africa was launched in 2016 and has since become a leader within the transformation of African agriculture. As a provider of customised fertilizer solutions working with partners across governments, non-profits and private enterprises, OCP Africa helps connect farmers to the knowledge and resources they need in order to prosper. 

Contented has worked with the OCP Africa team on multiple projects since 2021. We simply had to share the remarkable ways this organisation ensures that their annual reports are nothing short of outstanding.

So what exactly does the OCP Africa team do?

1. Encourage CREATIVITY, in abundance. It’s everything. OCP Africa recognises the importance of visual elements, for a report that feels engaging, unique and that clearly showcases their data. They make room for flexibility and experimentation with the design approach – even looking outside their own industry for inspiration that helps their content truly stand out.
2. Keep things people-focused. OCP Africa has increasingly incorporated stories from external stakeholders and internal teams, effectively humanising its brand. The reports feature narratives that highlight the experiences of farmers and employees, providing a comprehensive view of its impact. There’s a perfectly-struck balance between data and stories.
3. Insist on diverse team participation. Leadership is engaged from the inception of the reporting process, ensuring alignment with organisational goals. This minimises the need for significant content revisions. Such involvement streamlines the creation of the reports and maintains consistency in messaging. 
   
   Their reports reflect contributions from all organisational levels, featuring voices from internal teams and outlining their plans. This inclusivity enriches the storytelling and demonstrates a unified commitment to their mission.
4. Learn lessons for improvement. They’ve streamlined their approval processes and embraced structured feedback mechanisms, significantly reducing delays. The design team is also onboarded much earlier than it used to be, so planning and alignment with the content team is streamlined. 
   
   OCP Africa has also become more strategic in highlighting key achievements, focusing on impactful stories. This year, the team has outlined their goals for the report in 4 key pillars. This is a huge help in structuring the storytelling. 

Read OCP Africa’s annual and impact reports – and talk to us about yours!