Coca-Cola has announced its intention to grow its investment in Kenya by up to $175 million ( Ksh. 23 billion) over the next five years. This significant investment is contingent upon achieving anticipated growth targets in the country.
The announcement was made during Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to Coca-Cola Company headquarters in Atlanta. The investment aims to accelerate the Coca-Cola system’s capacity and capability expansion in Kenya, which could potentially double the company’s current workforce in the country. Currently, Coca-Cola employs 3,000 people across six manufacturing facilities in Kenya, and this investment could see this number increase to 6,000 employees, with a broader impact on the 37,000 Kenyans who rely on the company indirectly for their livelihoods.
The investment is seen as a milestone in the firm’s presence in Kenya and Africa, a testimony to the strong collaboration between the company and the government. Coca-Cola has been a prominent corporate presence in Kenya and Africa, growing as a brand and manufacturing giant while serving as a partner in employment creation, economic development, and emergency response. The Coca-Cola system, consisting of The Coca-Cola Company and its authorized bottler Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, has been an integral part of Kenya’s landscape for more than 75 years.
This investment underscores the company’s enduring commitment to the growth and development of the region. It is also in line with The Coca-Cola Company’s vision to become a total beverage company, reshaping its growth strategy and operating model in response to changing customer tastes and buying habits.