Lilongwe, Malawi – Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Malawi hosted the Minister of Industrialisation, Business, Trade and Tourism, Honourable Simon Itaye, at its Kanengo plant, reinforcing the company’s commitment to investing in Malawi and working with Government to unlock sustainable manufacturing and export growth.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase CCBA’s investment in local manufacturing and discuss how addressing foreign exchange and fuel shortages, power outages, the cost of Digital Tax Stamps (DTS) and illicit trade could enable manufacturers to produce more, serve customers more efficiently and increase exports.
CCBA has continued to invest in the growth of its Malawi business since acquiring the soft drinks division of Castel in 2022. In 2025, the company reinforced this long-term commitment with a US$14.9 million investment in a state-of-the-art production line in Lilongwe, increasing local production capacity and creating new opportunities to serve the domestic market and export beverages to Zambia.
The investment reflects CCBA’s ambition to win in the market through sustainable growth and strategic supply-chain investment, partner with customers for growth, and build enduring economic value. It also supports the company’s wider vision to Refresh Africa and create shared value, including through investment in people, innovation and the communities in which it operates.
Since commencing operations in Malawi in September 2022, CCBA has produced a range of nine beverage brands at Kanengo, including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, SOBO Squash and Quench water, supplying customers across the Northern, Central and Southern regions. Reliable and efficient production is critical to meeting customer and consumer demand, and realising the full potential of the investments already made in the country.
During the visit, CCBA highlighted opportunities to work in partnership with Government to address challenges such as foreign exchange and fuel shortages, power reliability, the cost of Digital Tax Stamps (DTS) and illicit trade. Through continued collaboration and practical solutions, Government and industry can help create an environment that enables manufacturers to operate more efficiently, reinvest in their businesses, grow local production and exports, protect Government revenue and contribute to Malawi’s long-term economic growth.
Neil French, General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Malawi, said: “We were honoured to host Honourable Simon Itaye and appreciate the opportunity to engage with Government on how we can unlock the next phase of manufacturing growth in Malawi. Our investment in the business, including the US$14.9 million production line commissioned last year, reflects our confidence in Malawi and our commitment to growing with the country.”
“Our ambition is to produce more locally, serve our customers and consumers even better, and grow our export opportunities. Addressing the challenges will help us make full use of the Classified as Public capacity we have invested in and create greater value for our people, our customers, our communities and Malawi. We look forward to continuing to work with Government to find practical solutions that enable sustainable growth, investment and job creation.”
As a long-term investor in Malawi, CCBA looks forward to continued engagement with the Minister and his Ministry to help create the conditions for a stronger, more competitive manufacturing sector that supports jobs, strengthens local value chains, grows exports and contributes to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
