Kenya is set to receive an investment of US $1.65M from Coca-Cola system aimed at boosting water security. The investment will target the Upper-Tana and Mid-Galana basins, key catchment areas that feed Nairobi’s primary reservoirs and the Mzima Springs aquifer.
Planned activities include the introduction of agroforestry systems, rainwater harvesting initiatives to support groundwater recharge, and large-scale tree planting along riparian zones to restore ecosystems and improve water quality.
The project will be implemented in partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and community-based organizations, focusing on replenishing water supplies and promoting sustainable land management. This includes rehabilitating degraded farms and rangelands, creating hundreds of farm ponds, and planting fruit orchards that both strengthen food security and provide alternative sources of income for local households.
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Africa Water Stewardship Initiative
The initiative forms part of the Coca-Cola system’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, a long-term program launched in 2024 by Coca-Cola Africa Operating Unit and its bottling partners—Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC), and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC).
With an overall commitment of nearly US $25M, the program aims to address water scarcity and resilience challenges across 20 African countries by 2030. Global Water Challenge (GWC) will lead the program’s execution, working with partners such as TNC, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Highlighting the importance of the investment, Alfred Olajide, Vice President of Franchise Operations for East and Central Africa at Coca-Cola, underscored the company’s commitment to tackling global water stress and supporting climate resilience in local communities. James Bowmaker, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya (CCBK), added that safeguarding water resources is central to the company’s responsibility, particularly in regions facing acute scarcity. TNC’s Country Director in Kenya, Ruth Masha, emphasized that collaboration and nature-based solutions will be crucial to protecting watersheds and enhancing water security for millions of people across the continent.
“We are collaborating with local communities and our grassroots partners the Upper Tana-Nairobi Water Fund Trust, Green Generation Initiative and Jumuiya Water Fund as we work towards a sustainable future for people and nature in Africa.”
CCBA, the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa and the eighth largest globally by revenue, accounts for more than 40 percent of Coca-Cola’s ready-to-drink beverages sold on the continent. TNC is a global conservation organization working in 76 countries and territories, using collaborative, science-driven approaches to protect land and water resources. GWC has positively impacted more than 3 million people in Africa, the Americas, and Asia since 2005 through improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services.
