CCBA Marks 9 Years of Growth, Investment, and Impact in Africa
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is marking a major milestone, nine years since its formation as the largest Coca-Cola bottling partner on the continent. Emerging from a historic merger, CCBA continues to reaffirm its commitment to Africa’s economic and industrial transformation through bold investments in local production, sustainability, and job creation.
The company’s legacy traces back 85 years to 1940, when Coca-Cola was first bottled in Gqeberha, South Africa, by SA Bottling Company (Pty) Ltd. That same year, Philipp Rowland Gutsche joined the business, laying the foundation for a family legacy that would shape Coca-Cola operations in the region for generations. Today, CCBA is present in over 14 African countries and plays a pivotal role in the region’s beverage industry and economic development.
In the past 12 months, CCBA has ramped up its production capabilities with new state-of-the-art bottling lines in South Africa, Namibia, and Malawi. These lines, equipped with artificial intelligence and capable of producing over 108,000 bottles per hour, signify the company’s readiness to meet growing demand while advancing operational efficiency.
Furthering its sustainability agenda, CCBA has partnered with Plastic Packaging in Namibia to launch a cutting-edge PET flaking plant, doubling the country’s mechanical recycling capacity to 500 tons of plastic per month. The initiative is spearheaded by Namibia Polymer Recyclers (NPR), a subsidiary of Plastic Packaging, and reinforces CCBA’s commitment to circular economies and environmental stewardship.
Looking ahead, the company has also announced plans to invest up to $175 million in Kenya over the next five years, subject to market growth, underscoring its long-term vision for expansion in East Africa.
“These investments are a demonstration of our progress and continued belief in the future of Africa,” said Sunil Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of CCBA. “They reaffirm the Coca-Cola system’s local-first approach, we produce, distribute, and, where possible, source locally. Our value chain supports many small and medium enterprises, creating economic opportunity and resilience.”
As CCBA celebrates its ninth anniversary, Gupta emphasized the company’s broader mission. “Our vision is to refresh Africa and create shared value. We are committed to inspiring excellence and setting the benchmark as Africa’s most admired company through innovation, impact, and inclusive growth.”
With a robust expansion pipeline and a deep-rooted dedication to community and sustainability, CCBA remains a powerful force in driving Africa’s transformation—one bottle, one job, and one opportunity at a time.
