Coca-Cola Invests in African Water Stewardship Initiative

The Coca-Cola Company in Africa, along with its bottling partners Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC), and Coca-Cola HBC, has announced a significant investment of nearly USD 25 million to address critical water-related challenges in local communities across 20 African countries.

The initiative, led by the Global Water Challenge (GWC) and implemented by a consortium of partners, including The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), aims to improve water security and promote community health and resilience through clean, abundant water.

Addressing Water Insecurity in Africa

According to Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company’s African Operating Unit, “Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottling partners because it is essential to life, the communities we serve, and our drinks.” With one in three Africans facing water insecurity, the initiative seeks to improve water security for millions across the African continent.

Projects and Partnerships

The ‘Coca-Cola System Africa Water Stewardship Initiative’ will have projects in Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The initiative will work to protect and improve the health of important watersheds and improve access to water and sanitation services in local communities.

Supporting Sustainable Development

The initiative supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation. By collaborating with governments, businesses, and civil society organizations, the company and its bottlers aim to design and implement strategic interventions that contribute to the promotion of sustainable development.

Building on Previous Successes

The initiative builds on The Coca-Cola Foundation’s (TCCF) Replenishment of Africa Initiative (RAIN), which improved access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for 6 million people across Africa between 2009 and 2019. Through 120 projects, the initiative had a positive impact on homes, schools, and healthcare clinics in over 4,000 communities.