Annual Report 2023: A better marketplace for a changing world
Today, we publish our 2023 Annual Report, sharing our impact across the year as we built a safer, fairer and more sustainable marketplace for consumers. Our achievements within show the unique strength of the global consumer movement - resilient in facing global challenges to help consumers everywhere.
In 2023, we took action on unfair food prices in Africa, reaching 20 million consumers and seeing regulatory response in Nigeria, Kenya and Zambia. We released our inaugural index of the consumer experience in digital financial services, providing a much-needed route-map for regulators and industry. We brought the voice of our 200-strong membership to negotiations for a global treaty to tackle plastic pollution.
During our Clean Energy Conference, we saw recognition of the essential role consumers play in the transition to clean energy. We also brought over 500 leaders together for our Global Congress – where top consumer issues such as scams, sustainability, affordable food, and digital payments were on the agenda.
Our collective efforts highlight the power of collaboration to build a better marketplace. We were proud to work alongside our Members in over 100 countries, as well as our partners across government, business and civil society who make up our Change Network.
From our Director General
Helena Leurent
"In 2023, we knew that consumers around the world were struggling. The cost-of-living crisis pressed on, with high prices impacting essentials like food and energy. Elsewhere, new waves of digitalisation showed promise while also widening the digital divide and exacerbating concerns over privacy and data security. Ahead of a record election year in 2024, it was crucial to shine a light on the importance of consumer rights and the role of consumer organisations to help people in a rapidly changing marketplace."
From our president
Marimuthu Nadason
"Our movement has also seen challenges. We recently conducted a study to assess the state of global consumer advocacy and saw consumer groups reporting their greatest challenge to be ‘achieving financial viability’. Consumer organisations carry out essential work fighting for consumers day-in and day-out. But at a time when people desperately need their support and advice, consumer organisations are increasingly under-resourced.
In 2023 Consumers International rose to the occasion. We founded new networks to confront emerging risks – like our Consumer Coalition to Stop Scams. We provided funding to consumer advocates in low- and middle-income countries. And we drove essential dialogues between energy leaders and consumer advocates, charting a path towards an energy transition which makes clean, affordable energy a reality for consumers."