Coca-Cola System Plans $175 Million Investment in Kenya

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The Coca-Cola system, consisting of The Coca-Cola Company and its authorized bottler Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, has announced its intention to significantly increase investment in Kenya by up to $175 million over the next five years, contingent upon achieving projected growth targets in the country.

During a visit by Kenyan President H.E. Dr. William Ruto to The Coca-Cola Company headquarters in Atlanta, Sunil Gupta, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, expressed enthusiasm about strengthening the company’s long-standing presence in Kenya.

“The Coca-Cola system has been an integral part of Kenya’s landscape for over 75 years. Today, we are pleased to announce our intention to bolster this legacy through a substantial investment,” Gupta said.

This investment aims to accelerate capacity and capability expansions within the Coca-Cola system over the next five years, reflecting the company’s confidence in Kenya’s long-term economic potential.

Luisa Ortega, President of The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit, stressed the importance of collaboration with the government to foster a stable policy environment. “The Coca-Cola system has been embedded in Kenyan communities for more than seven decades. We are excited to continue growing our business and supporting communities across Kenya for many more years,” Ortega added.

The Coca-Cola system is a major employer in East Africa, directly employing 10,000 people and engaging with over 500,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the region. Gupta highlighted the system’s commitment to sourcing nearly 8,000 metric tons of mango puree from East African farmers, supporting livelihoods for over a million people in distribution, sales, and other roles.

“Our business in Kenya is rooted in a local approach – we hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally, and source locally,” Gupta emphasized.

“We are optimistic and fully committed to Kenya’s future. We foresee significant social and economic progress, which is why we continue to invest in our Kenyan business and community programs that contribute to Kenya’s prosperity,” Ortega concluded.

About Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA):

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa is the largest Coca-Cola bottling partner in Africa and the 8th largest in the world by revenue. It represents over 40% of all Coca-Cola products sold in Africa by volume, with more than 18,000 employees serving over 720,000 customers. Formed in July 2016, CCBA operates in 15 countries, including key markets such as South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, and Namibia. The shareholders of CCBA are currently The Coca-Cola Company (66.5%) and Gutsche Family Investments (33.5%).