Chandigarh | November 13, 2025: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the world’s fifth-largest jewellery retailer and one of India’s leading champions of corporate social responsibility, has announced the global expansion of its flagship Hunger Free World initiative to Ethiopia. Following its transformative impact across India and Zambia, the program now enters a new phase of growth on the African continent.
Rooted in India’s values of compassion and collective progress, the Hunger Free World model exemplifies how an Indian enterprise can scale local success into global impact. By consistently investing 5% of its net profits—more than double India’s mandated CSR allocation—Malabar continues to set new benchmarks in corporate social responsibility, driving sustainable change and social equity worldwide.
The announcement took place at an event held at the Malabar International Hub in Dubai Gold Souq, where Mr. Abdul Salam K.P, Vice Chairman of Malabar Group, officially handed over the Letter of Intent to H.E. Asmelash Bekele, Consul General of Ethiopia in Dubai. The ceremony was attended by senior members of the Malabar Gold & Diamonds leadership team.
The Hunger Free World program is one of Malabar’s most impactful ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) initiatives. Currently, it provides over 85,000 meals daily across 170 locations worldwide. The expansion into Ethiopia follows the success of the program in Zambia, where over 900,000 meals have been served across three schools since May 2024.
“Hunger Free World has been one of the most meaningful ESG initiatives championed by Malabar Group. As a responsible jeweller, our commitment to the communities we serve goes beyond business. The millions of lives positively impacted by this program stand as a testament to our vision of sustainable and inclusive growth. By partnering with the Ethiopian government, we will be investing over USD 864,000 over the next two years, with a goal of reaching 10,000 children with daily meals by the end of 2026, as well as infrastructure development to promote educational excellence,” said Mr. M.P Ahammad, Chairman, Malabar Group.
“Community upliftment has been an integral part of our brand DNA since inception. Through the Hunger Free World initiative, we have seen how access to daily nutrition transforms not just individuals but entire communities. Extending this program to Ethiopia is another step toward our mission of eradicating hunger and promoting education equity globally,” added Mr. Abdul Salam K.P, Vice Chairman, Malabar Group.
The expansion aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly Zero Hunger, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Partnerships for the Goals. The project in Ethiopia will adopt a community-centric approach, engaging parents, teachers, and local authorities while partnering with schools, suppliers, and stakeholders to foster employment and local ownership.
“Access to nutritious meals and quality education lays the foundation for a brighter future for all children. In the initial phase, we will collaborate with five schools in Adama City, Oromia region—reaching around 11,000 children. Beyond school feeding, we will support scholarships, mentorship programs, digital literacy, and library development. With the Ethiopian government’s support, this mission embodies our commitment to holistic and sustainable impact,” said Mr. Shamlal Ahamed, Managing Director – International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds.
Since its inception in 1993, Malabar Group has placed ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) principles at the heart of its operations across all markets. Its CSR efforts focus on Health, Hunger Free World, Housing, Education, Women Empowerment, and Environment, continually evolving to uphold the company’s vision of being a socially conscious and responsible global organization.
About Malabar Gold & Diamonds:
Founded in 1993, Malabar Gold & Diamonds is the flagship company of the Malabar Group, one of the world’s largest jewellery retailers with a presence across India, the Middle East, the Far East, the USA, the UK, and Africa. The brand’s enduring commitment to ethical business practices, transparency, and community development continues to make it a global leader in responsible luxury.
