Coca-Cola’s network of bottlers, suppliers, distributors and retailers generated $3.6 billion in economic activity across the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) in 2024 and supported more than 458,200 jobs, according to a study presented at the bloc’s 19th Business Forum in Harare.

The study, by consultancy Steward Redqueen, put the system’s contribution at about 0.3% of COMESA’s gross domestic product. It also found that Coca-Cola spent nearly $1.5 billion on goods and services from suppliers in member countries last year, spanning agriculture, manufacturing, packaging, logistics and retail.

“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,” said Luis Felipe Avellar, President of Coca-Cola’s Africa Operating Unit.

“The 19th COMESA Business Forum is an important platform to highlight how businesses like those that comprise the Coca-Cola system contribute to sustainable economic development in Africa.”

What the numbers cover

The figures measure the wider value chain, not just Coca-Cola’s own payroll. The jobs total includes direct and indirect positions, so it does not mean 458,200 people were hired by the company. The $3.6 billion is value added to the regional economy, not Coca-Cola’s sales or profit.

Steward Redqueen used a Multi-Regional Input-Output model, which traces how spending in one industry creates demand in others. A bottle order, for example, supports the packaging maker and the firms that supply its raw materials and transport. The study’s aggregate figures do not show how much went to each industry or country.

“The Coca-Cola system operates as a critical economic engine across the COMESA region, empowering local suppliers, retailers, and distributors to thrive,” said Alfred Olajide, Vice President of East and Central Africa Operations at Coca-Cola.

“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.”

Part of a bigger African picture

A separate study released in June 2025 found the Coca-Cola system contributed $10.4 billion in value added across 54 African markets in 2024 and supported more than one million jobs, with $4.3 billion in supplier spending. The two sets of figures cover different areas and should not be added together.

Coca-Cola also says it has set aside nearly $25 million for its Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, which aims to tackle water challenges in 20 African countries by 2030.

COMESA has 21 member states, including Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was set up to promote trade and economic integration across eastern and southern Africa.