The Coca-Cola Company’s Socio-Economic Impact Study Revealed at 2025 US-Africa Business Summit
At the 2025 US-Africa Business Summit in Luanda, Angola, The Coca-Cola Company unveiled the outcomes of an extensive Africa-wide socio-economic impact study. In an exclusive interview, Luisa Ortega, President of the Africa Operating Unit of The Coca-Cola Company, shared key insights from this groundbreaking study and emphasized the system’s enduring support for the economic advancement of the continent.
Ms. Ortega expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to discuss the significance of the Coca-Cola system’s Africa-wide socio-economic impact study at the prestigious event. The summit served as a vital platform for fostering collaboration and dialogue between African nations and the United States, allowing for the dissemination of the study findings that reflect the longstanding commitment to Africa’s development.
The Coca-Cola system’s engagement in Africa dates back to 1928, evolving into a robust network that operates continent-wide through partnerships with authorized bottlers, suppliers, retailers, and entrepreneurs. With a strong emphasis on local sourcing, production, and distribution, the system plays a pivotal role in job creation, industry enhancement, and community upliftment, contributing to the growth of resilient and prosperous economies in Africa and beyond.
Economic Impact Study and Insights
Having conducted its previous continent-wide socio-economic review in 1998, the Coca-Cola system collaborated with global consultancy Steward Redqueen to execute the latest study in 2024. Utilizing advanced modeling tools, the assessment highlighted the system’s contributions across various sectors and regions, showcasing its significant role in national and regional development. By analyzing operational data alongside external economic sources, the study revealed intricate economic interdependencies, illustrating how the Coca-Cola system fuels production, income generation, and employment opportunities across diverse industries.
In 2024, the Coca-Cola system supported over a million jobs along its value chain in Africa, spanning retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and services sectors. This inclusive approach included approximately 36,800 direct jobs within the Coca-Cola system and nearly 987,000 indirect jobs supported throughout the value chain, resulting in 27 additional jobs created per direct position.
The economic impact extended to a notable $10.4 billion in value-added activity across the African value chain in 2024. Of equal importance was the emphasis on local procurement, with the system investing $4.3 billion in the African economy through the acquisition of goods and services from local suppliers, representing 83% of the total procurement value. These figures underscore the system’s enduring commitment to bolstering local economies and fostering shared value, reinforcing its integral role in African economic landscapes.
Future Investments and Sustainability
The study not only validated the efficacy of the system’s ‘localness’ business model but also outlined a strategic roadmap for future endeavors. By translating insights into actionable strategies, the Coca-Cola system affirmed its dedication to the continent through substantial investments.
In the preceding year, the system announced investments nearing $1.2 billion across Africa for the upcoming five years, with a hopeful outlook for increased investments in conducive policy environments. Furthermore, a $25 million investment by 2030 was earmarked to combat critical water-related challenges in local communities across 20 African markets, aiming to preserve essential watersheds and enhance access to clean water resources.
The Coca-Cola System: Local Integration and Global Impact
The unique collaboration between The Coca-Cola Company group and local authorized bottlers has fostered a distinct model known as the Coca-Cola system, ingrained in Africa’s social fabric for nearly a century. The system’s success lies in its localized business approach, emphasizing local relationships, innovative practices, and sustainable value generation, leveraging the influence of The Coca-Cola Company brands to drive positive transformations across the continent.
Operating throughout all African markets and territories, the system collaborates with nearly 30 authorized bottlers, sourcing proprietary concentrate from The Coca-Cola Company group. This intricate network enables the production, distribution, and sale of ready-to-drink beverages in alignment with local economies, emphasizing local employment, entrepreneurship empowerment, and supply chain fortification.
By promoting localized production and distribution practices, the ripple effect of this approach transcends job creation, fostering entrepreneurial spirit, and reinforcing local economic structures. The system’s agility in scaling operations while remaining anchored in local economies underscores its commitment to sustainable growth alongside African communities.
Shaping Africa’s Future
The Coca-Cola system maintains a profound belief in Africa’s trajectory, acknowledging that the continent’s prosperity is intertwined with its own. Through active operation, participation, and support spanning generations, the system recognizes the collaborative effort required from governments, civil society, private enterprises, and development partners to collectively shape Africa’s future growth narrative.
Collaboration emerges as a cornerstone for unlocking Africa’s full potential, with concerted efforts essential in harnessing the growth prospects embedded within the continent’s evolving landscape, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all stakeholders.
