Coca-Cola Commits $175M to Kenya, Unveils $4M Plastic Recycling Initiative in Nigeria

Coca-Cola plans to invest up to $175 million in Kenya over the next five years, enhancing its local operations. Simultaneously, in collaboration with USAID, the Coca-Cola Foundation and TechnoServe will launch a $4 million initiative to tackle plastic waste in Nigeria

Coca-Cola to Invest $175M in Kenya, Enhancing Local Operations and Supporting Economic Growth

Over the next five years, the system may invest up to $175 million in Kenya; the precise sum is contingent on the business's ability to realize its projected development objectives in the nation.

According to Sunil Gupta (via FoodBev Media), the Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa: “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. 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.”

In East Africa, the Coca-Cola system directly employs approximately 10,000 individuals. Additionally, it collaborates with over 500,000 micro, small, and medium-sized businesses throughout Kenya and the region.

Gupta added: "Our value chain supports livelihoods for over a million people in distribution, sales and other roles. We source close to 8,000 metric tons of mango puree from East African farmers. 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 centered on a local approach – we hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally, and source locally."

The president of Coca-Cola Company's Africa Operating Unit, Luisa Ortega, remarked, "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 and community programs that help strengthen Kenya's prosperity."

Coca-Cola, USAID, and TechnoServe Launch $4M Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity to Tackle Waste and Create Jobs

TechnoServe Nigeria, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) are collaborating to establish the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA).

The significant undertaking, jointly funded at a rate of $4 million by Coca-Cola and USAID, addresses the pressing issue of plastic waste management in Nigeria by implementing inventive recycling strategies.

Plastic pollution has emerged as an urgent environmental issue on a global scale, including in Nigeria.

Annual plastic waste production is estimated to reach 2.5 million metric tons; therefore, concerted efforts to mitigate its adverse effects on the environment and public health are urgently required.

The principal aim of the NPSA was to increase the collection capacity of more than 24 aggregators and 9,500 collectors and salvage around 49,000 metric tons of plastic refuse in Nigeria.

Furthermore, by promoting a cleaner, healthier environment and fostering circularity in plastic waste management, the program intends to generate more than 10,000 green employment.

Saadia Madsbierg, president of The Coca-Cola Foundation, commented on the partnership: "We place a priority on helping communities become more sustainable by supporting innovative collection and recycling solutions at a local level."

"We hope this new program in Nigeria serves as a catalyst to drive increased collection and recycling rates as we collectively work towards a more sustainable society, one community at a time.”

The USAID Mission Director, Melissa Jones, stated at the inaugural event: "In addition to improving the environment, plastic collection, sorting, aggregating, processing and manufacturing offers employment opportunities. Small and medium scale enterprises and entry-level and semi-skilled workers particularly stand to benefit from this new value chain."

Consul General of the United States, Will Stevens, reaffirmed the government's commitment to the new endeavor.

"By incentivizing recycling to prevent plastic pollution, we protect the planet, create jobs, empower youth and other marginalized groups, and foster sustainable development. We must persist in collaborating, innovating, and implementing solutions to address this urgent issue.”

"Together, we can build a future where plastics are no longer a threat to our planet but a valuable resource managed responsibly and utilized for the benefit of future generations," he remarked.

Lagos Commissioner Highlights NPSA's Role in Transforming Plastic Waste Management and Promoting Sustainability in Nigeria

The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment underscored the significance of the Nigeria Plastic Solutions Activity (NPSA), which stated, "Our policy and advocacy endeavors serve as a paradigm shift about plastic waste." Plastic is no longer a disposable commodity; instead, it must be recognized as a resource that requires conscientious management. We must confront this responsibility directly with unwavering resolve and determination.

This announcement signifies a momentous achievement in our combined endeavors to address plastic pollution and advance sustainable development in Nigeria. It demonstrates TechnoServe, USAID, and The Coca-Cola Foundation's dedication to fostering positive transformation and constructing a more environmentally aware and resilient society.

USAID spearheads humanitarian and international development initiatives with the goals of preserving lives, reducing poverty, bolstering democratic governance, and assisting nations in becoming self-sufficient.

USAID assists Nigeria in humanitarian aid, health system strengthening, transparent and accountable governance, fundamental education, and a trade-friendly, market-oriented economy.

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