Health and sports drinks production Mali Living healthy is an item on the rise in Sub Saharan Africa, where diabetes is spreading rapidly and affects many. The applicant Centrale d'Achat pour L'Afrique (CAP Afrique) from the South of France and the local partner Société des Eaux Minerales du Mali (SEMM) planned to set up a bottling line for diabetes- and sports drinks in a joint venture in Mali. The local partner exploits already a mineral water company in the South West of Mali, 30 km West from Bamako. The products will consist of mineral water mixed with an imported low sugar concentrate and will be marketed within a health campaign. The project is unique in tackling an increasing public health problem. It provides access to low sugar drinks for people who suffer from diabetes and encourages a healthier lifestyle with a local sports drink.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)The joint venture will complete a CSR policy in the first result. It encourages a positive impact on the environment, consumers, employees, communities and other public stakeholders.The joint venture will research options for bottle recycling and ISO certification is planned. Good working conditions, safety and health will be incorporated in the company. Corruption is not tolerated, as does child labour and gender discrimination is banned. The chain responsibility with suppliers is investigated and will be complemented during the project.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsAll employees will be offered a fixed contract with salaries 17% higher than the actual living wage. Benefits include health insurance for the employee and their family, disability insurance, payment on sick leave, pension, travel costs, paid overtime, free work clothing, first aid post and fire assemble. Organisation of employees and pro-active dialogue is organised, health and safety especially for women will be aimed for.There will be knowledge transfer by extensive training on water source cleaning, drinks production and mechanics, safety, certification marketing and HIV/AIDS.•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThere are no locally produced diabetes friendly drinks and sports drinks available in Mali. The innovative aspects lies in the type of product and the specific composition of the drinks. The production process is in the soft drink business almost overall the same. The mixing of a concentrate with water and in most of the cases soda. The content of the marketing of the new drinks can contribute to an increase of awareness for a healthy lifestyle.•	Chain effectsThe impact of the project for local suppliers other than the local partner who will supply the water is not very big. Other local suppliers will furnish labels, logistical services and marketing services. In the future the joint venture wants to make their own concentrates and recycle the plastic bottles and caps. Those activities can lead to the involvement of more local suppliers.B2BLocal companies can distinguish themselves with the new product with a healthy image. This may slightly increase their revenue by offering new products with higher profit margin. Due to the existing distribution network of Diago, the drinks will be available at many locations from small shops, to hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.B2CThe consumers who can afford it will have a choice for a healthier lifestyle. As the price will be equal to sodas. The marketing of the products will add a trendy image tot the sports drinks and a healthy image to the diabetic friendly drinks. The product supply and marketing stimulates the awareness and importance of a healthy living and exercise. In the long run it can decrease unhealthy lifestyle diseases and contribute to public health.•	Impact on the sectorThe local partner's mother company GMM is already involved in health products based on cereals. The new joint venture wants to create a critical mass that halts unhealthy living trends. In the slip stream of this project complementary health products and services may emerge in the future on a commercial and non-commercial level. The joint venture wants to collaborate with health-related organisations and universities that focuses on specific health problems. This aspect is not well developed. The impact on a sector or national level could be more important if the partners evolved in a broader health campaign apart from the own brand.•	EnvironmentThere are no measures taken than necessary to accord national regulations. On a company level measures are taken to guarantee the quality of the mineral water by clean pipes, pumps, barrels, regular testing etc.•	Position of womenThe joint venture will employ eight women on a basic-level and three women on a medium-level.•	Impact on food safetyThe project contributes to food security and -safety for a specific group of consumers. In Mali there is a large consumption of drinks and sodas. The sports drinks can help against dehydration and works as Coca Cola and ORS. The diabetic friendly drink is an attainable alternative for a limited group of consumers.•	Impact on waterThe project has no influence directly or indirectly on water security and water safety as meant in the PSI programme. The goal of the project is to produce diabetic friendly drinks and sports drinks for the local market with a capacity of 6,000 bottles per hour.