Global beverage giant Coca-Cola has committed to investing Ksh23 billion ($175 million) over the next five years which could see Kenya receive a significant boost in job opportunities. This investment is poised to double Coca-Cola's workforce in Kenya and benefit thousands more indirectly.
The investment, aimed at accelerating Coca-Cola’s capacity and capability expansion in Kenya, could potentially double the company's current workforce in the country. Currently, Coca-Cola employs 3,000 people across six manufacturing facilities. Achieving the anticipated growth targets could see this number swell to 6,000, with a broader impact on the 37,000 Kenyans who rely on the company indirectly for their livelihoods.
“The Coca-Cola system has been an integral part of Kenya’s landscape for more than 75 years. Today, we are excited to announce our intention to strengthen this legacy through a substantial investment,” said Sunil Gupta, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.
The announcement was made during Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto's visit to The Coca-Cola Company headquarters in Atlanta on Tuesday, May 21.
Gupta asserted, “This investment is aimed at accelerating the Coca-Cola system’s capacity and capability expansion over the next five years. Our decision to invest underscores our belief in the long-term potential of Kenya’s economy.”
President Ruto hailed the commitment as a significant milestone, noting the importance of sustaining strong collaborations for mutual growth. "This is a milestone in the firm’s presence in Kenya and Africa, a testimony that we must sustain our strong collaboration for us to grow," Ruto stated.
Luisa Ortega, President of The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit, highlighted the importance of a stable policy environment facilitated by government collaboration. “The Coca-Cola system has been part of communities in Kenya for more than seven decades. We are excited to continue growing our business and supporting communities across Kenya for many years to come,” said Ortega.
The Coca-Cola Company is a major employer in East Africa, directly employing 10,000 people across the region. In Kenya, the company currently has 3,000 employees working at six manufacturing facilities. With the new investment, this number could potentially double, significantly impacting the Kenyan job market.
Coca-Cola's value chain extends beyond direct employment. The company collaborates with over 500,000 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the region, affecting the livelihoods of more than a million people involved in distribution, sales, and other roles. “Our value chain supports livelihoods for over a million people in distribution, sales, and other roles,” said Gupta.
The company also sources approximately 8,000 metric tons of mango puree from East African farmers, underscoring its commitment to local sourcing. “We believe in the region's potential and its ability to achieve significant growth through collaboration between public and private sectors. Our business in Kenya is centred on a local approach - we hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally, and source locally,” Gupta added.
Ortega echoed this optimism, stating, “We are optimistic and fully committed to Kenya’s future. We foresee great social and economic advancement, and this is why we continue to invest in our Kenyan business as well as the community programs that help strengthen Kenya’s prosperity.”
The deal was part of President Ruto’s broader agenda during his week-long visit to the United States, which included discussions with Fortune 500 company CEOs in Atlanta, Georgia. During these talks, Ruto sought to deepen partnerships in renewable energy, housing, manufacturing, agriculture, and ICT sectors.
“We urge international businesses to capitalise on the 60-year-old Kenya-U.S. relationship that is grounded on shared values of democracy, freedom, and enterprise to invest in Kenya,” Ruto stated, reinforcing the message of Kenya’s open and conducive investment environment.
