THE Coca-Cola Company, together with its African bottling partners, has announced a substantial $25 million investment to address critical water-related challenges across 20 African countries by 2030. The initiative, dubbed The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, was launched in Cape Town and aims to safeguard Africa’s water resources and improve access to clean water and sanitation for millions of people.
This new water stewardship initiative is a joint effort between Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC), and Coca-Cola HBC. It builds upon the company’s existing water sustainability programmes and will be implemented by Global Water Challenge (GWC), in partnership with leading environmental organisations such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Tackling water insecurity in Africa
Africa faces a serious water insecurity problem, with one in three people lacking reliable access to clean water. This initiative will focus on addressing water stress, protecting key watersheds, and improving water and sanitation services in vulnerable communities across countries including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Egypt.
Speaking at the launch event, Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability at Coca-Cola Africa, stressed the company’s deep commitment to water security, noting: ‘Water is essential to life and the communities we serve. With increasing water insecurity globally, Coca-Cola is taking steps to accelerate efforts to protect local water resources and build community resilience.’
The Coca-Cola Africa Water Stewardship Initiative aims to protect watersheds and improve water accessibility in places where the company operates, sources ingredients, and directly impacts lives. The project aligns with Coca-Cola’s 2030 Water Security Strategy, which focuses on ensuring sustainable water management, particularly in water-stressed regions like Africa.
Key partners and implementation
Global Water Challenge (GWC), which is leading the initiative’s implementation, has a track record of working with corporate, government, and non-profit organisations to solve water-related challenges worldwide. Monica Ellis, CEO of GWC, praised Coca-Cola’s leadership in water stewardship: ‘Coca-Cola’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative will enhance water security for millions of Africans, improving community health and resilience with access to abundant clean water.’
Key projects under the initiative will focus on restoring vital watersheds, securing access to clean water, and improving sanitation facilities in communities across the 20 African nations targeted. Among the countries set to benefit are Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.
Additionally, Coca-Cola’s bottling partners such as Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) and Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC) have expressed pride in being part of the initiative. Layla Jeevanantham, Chief Public Affairs Officer at CCBA, commented: ‘We have a responsibility to help communities facing water scarcity and to protect local water resources.’
Sonia Ventosa, Public Affairs Manager at ECCBC, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the power of collaboration in tackling the water challenges: ‘Working together with Coca-Cola and local partners, we can leverage community knowledge to create sustainable solutions for water access.’
Building on the success of RAIN
The initiative builds on the successes of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), which improved access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for over six million people across Africa between 2009 and 2019. Through 120 projects, RAIN positively impacted homes, schools, and healthcare clinics in over 4,000 communities. The Africa Water Stewardship Initiative is set to expand these efforts further, contributing to improved water access, sanitation, and community resilience across the continent.
Additionally, the initiative supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. Coca-Cola’s investment will help contribute to this global effort, improving water security in regions where it is most needed.
Coca-Cola’s commitment to sustainability
Coca-Cola has a long-standing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Its new water initiative highlights the company’s broader sustainability goals, which include reducing water use in its operations, improving water security in communities, and contributing to the global water sustainability agenda. The initiative also aims to ensure that local ecosystems are preserved while providing sustainable access to water for communities that are increasingly vulnerable to water stress due to climate change.
‘We love what Coca-Cola is doing in achieving value capture for communities while focusing on water stewardship,’ said Ashish Patel, Managing Partner at Aavishkaar Capital, Coca-Cola’s sustainability partner in the region. ‘Their commitment goes beyond financing—it’s about creating a lasting positive impact on African communities.’
As Coca-Cola continues to drive sustainability and social impact in Africa, the Africa Water Stewardship Initiative is set to create lasting change, empowering communities and ensuring that water, a vital resource, is available for future generations across the continent.
The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative represents a powerful commitment to addressing one of Africa’s most pressing challenges—water security. By investing $25 million, Coca-Cola, its bottling partners, and its environmental allies are taking meaningful steps to protect Africa’s water resources, improve access to clean water, and enhance the resilience of communities across 20 countries. As the initiative gains momentum, it is poised to make a significant contribution to improving water security in Africa by 2030, further solidifying Coca-Cola’s position as a leader in sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Credit: Africabriefing
