Malawi Exclusive The Coca-Cola system contributed USD 3.6 billion in value-added economic activity across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region in 2024, a new study has revealed. The system and its value chain supported over 458,200 direct and indirect jobs across the region in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, retail, transport and services. The study, conducted by global consultancy Steward Redqueen and unveiled during the 19th COMESA Business Forum in Harare, Zimbabwe on 20th October, 2026, also shows that the system spent almost USD 1.5 billion on goods and services from suppliers in COMESA member countries, driving local industry growth and economic resilience. Speaking on the findings, Coca-Cola Vice President for East and Central Africa, Alfred Olajide, said the brand continues to bring more economic benefits across Africa. “The Coca-Cola system operates as a critical economic engine across the COMESA region, empowering local suppliers, retailers and distributors to thrive. The 19th COMESA Business Forum provides a meaningful opportunity to underscore our commitment not just to delivering beverages, but also driving innovation, collaborations and sustainable development in the region,” Olajide said. President of Coca-Cola’s Africa Operating Unit, Luis Felipe Avellar, said the forum is an important platform to showcase how businesses like those that comprise the Coca-Cola system contribute to sustainable economic development in Africa. “As this study shows, the Coca-Cola system continues to deliver substantial economic impact in COMESA, creating opportunities through local partnerships, investments and supply chains,” Avellar said. “The 19th COMESA Business Forum has brought together leaders from across the region to discuss trade, innovation and economic growth. Coca-Cola’s active participation as a key collaborator demonstrates its alignment with the forum’s mission of building stronger economic ties across the region’s 21 member countries,” he added. According to the report, the Coca-Cola system, incorporating its network of bottlers, suppliers, distributors and retailers, contributed USD 3.6 billion to the region’s combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024, representing 0.3 percent of COMESA’s GDP. “For every direct job created by the Coca-Cola system in COMESA, an additional 28 jobs are supported throughout the regional economy,” Avellar noted. In addition to its employment multiplier, the Coca-Cola system’s integration within local economies fuels industrial and community advancement. The report highlighted that spending benefitted industries like sugar production, manufacturing, packaging and logistics. Beyond economic contributions, the Coca-Cola system continues to champion sustainability and community development initiatives in the region. Several COMESA member states benefit directly from the Coca-Cola system’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, a nearly USD 25 million program that addresses water-related challenges across 20 African countries by 2030. The study leveraged a robust Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) model to capture the Coca-Cola system’s impact across its activities, including operations, local procurement and extensive value chain linkages. The findings demonstrate how Coca-Cola drives ripple effects through the economy, from agriculture to retail, illustrating the company’s strategic role in driving regional development. “The 19th COMESA Business Forum reaffirms the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. We are proud to collaborate with COMESA in building stronger economies and better futures for the communities we serve,” Avellar concluded. Post navigation TFM supports IPMM lake conference with K10 million