LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa, commenced operations in Malawi on August 29, 2022.
This follows the closing of the transaction with Castel (Southern Bottlers Limited, or SOBO) to acquire Castel’s soft drinks business through CCBA’s local subsidiary Coca-Cola Beverages Limited (CCBL).
Jacques Vermeulen, CCBA CEO said, “We see a compelling long-term growth opportunity in Malawi that will benefit our business as well as consumers in this market.
“Furthermore, it will allow us to share best practices and achieve enhanced efficiencies which, in turn, will mean an improved and more seamless service for customers.”
The creation of CCBA in 2016 was designed to advance a consolidated, more successful Coca-Cola system in Africa and create more shared opportunities for the business and communities across the value-chain, including local suppliers and retailers.
But speaking during the cocktail launch on Tuesday evening, September 6, 2022 in the capital Lilongwe , Labour Minister Vera Kamtukure dared CCBA to incorporate the country’s young people in its human resources mobilization than keep on importing expertise.
Kamtukure also challenged company to align its business plans towards Malawi’s Agenda 2063 for economic growth.
“We want an investor that will incorporate Malawians youth into their working force that importing human resources into the country.
“We want an investor that will stay not leaving when has made profits. We want an investor that embrace Malawi’s 2063 agenda particularly focusing on industrialization that many locals will be empowered economically,” appeals Labour Minister.
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA)’s Malawi Representative Seutloadi Thaanyane assured Malawi government of total commitment towards economic growth.
The CCBA group is the 8th largest Coca-Cola bottler in the world by revenue, and the largest on the continent. It accounts for over 40% of all Coca-Cola beverages sold in Africa by volume.
With over 17,000 employees in Africa, the CCBA group services approximately 600,000 outlets with a host of Coca-Cola beverages bearing international and local brands.
The group was formed in July 2016 after the successful combination of the southern and east Africa bottling operations of the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages businesses of The Coca-Cola Company, SABMiller plc and Gutsche Family Investments.
CCBA shareholders are currently: The Coca-Cola Company 66.5% and Gutsche Family Investments 33.5%.
The CCBA group currently operates in 15 countries, including its six key markets of South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique and Namibia, as well as Tanzania, Botswana, Ghana, Zambia, the islands of Comoros and Mayotte, Eswatini, Lesotho, and now also Malawi.
