AFRICA – The Coca-Cola Company, its bottling partners Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC), and Coca-Cola HBC have announced a US$25 million investment to address water-related challenges across 20 African countries.
This initiative, known as the ‘Africa Water Stewardship Initiative,’ will run from this year through 2030.
Global Water Challenge (GWC) will lead the project in collaboration with key partners such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The initiative was officially launched in Cape Town, South Africa, with key executives from Coca-Cola and its NGO partners present.
Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability for Coca-Cola’s Africa Operating Unit highlighted the importance of water conservation for the company, “Water is essential to life, the communities we serve, and our products. As global water insecurity grows, particularly in regions like Africa, Coca-Cola is accelerating its efforts to combat water stress, protect local resources, and build climate resilience.
“Our 2030 Water Security Strategy is centered on enhancing water security where we operate, source ingredients, and impact lives.”
Monica Ellis, CEO of GWC, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, “One in three Africans faces water insecurity. The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative will work to improve water security for millions, enhancing community health and resilience through access to clean, abundant water.”
The initiative will focus on protecting vital watersheds and improving access to water and sanitation in communities across countries such as Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda.
In addition to supporting Coca-Cola’s broader water strategy, the initiative also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which promotes sustainable water management and sanitation.
This new effort builds on the success of The Coca-Cola Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), which improved access to clean water and sanitation for six million people across Africa between 2009 and 2019, benefiting over 4,000 communities.
Through 120 projects, RAIN transformed homes, schools, and healthcare facilities, setting the stage for this next chapter of Coca-Cola’s water stewardship efforts.
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