Addis Ababa – A group of 50 unemployed women are ready for a fresh start after completing a three-month intensive training programme in child care, nannying, first aid and financial management with the support of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Ethiopia.

This was the third batch of trainees to complete the programme, marking yet another milestone for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Ethiopia in its economic inclusion initiatives to promote women’s empowerment and employability.

The majority of the 125 graduates from the programme have already secured employment at government and non-governmental day-care centres.

Last year, the company empowered more than 1,500 women and youth, including 50 women who received nannying and housekeeping training.

Beyond these initiatives, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has constructed a school at a total cost of $236,000 in Sebeta, following consultations with the community to understand their needs.

This follows the building of two state-of-the-art school blocks at Shimbit Elementary School near Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s plant in Bahir Dar, benefitting 1,600 students at a total cost of $220,000, and another school block at Senkelle, Ambo, at a cost of $200,000.

“At Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Ethiopia, we use our industry leadership to be part of the solution to achieve positive change in the world and to build a more sustainable future for our planet,” said Managing Director Daryl Wilson.

“Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value-chain. This is about more than the bottom line, because opportunity is not measured by money alone. Opportunity means a better future for people across the African continent,” Wilson said.

“We understand that our business can only thrive when the communities we serve thrive too. Investing in communities ensures our business sustainability. Most of all, we are all Africans and are part of our communities.

“This is why we have made economic inclusion one of the pillars of our sustainability strategy.

“We define economic inclusion as creating gainful economic opportunities to under-served communities – women, youth and people with disabilities – by providing them with access to markets that boost income and yield sustainable earnings, in our own business and the industry,” said Wilson.

“We will continue using our focus on creating a better shared future to grow and sustain small businesses and enhance livelihoods, resulting in increased economic value and business capability for women, communities and our business system. Our efforts will remain focused on ensuring that women run successful enterprises and increasing their participation in the formal economy through programmes to prepare them for the world of work – all in partnership with like-minded stakeholders.”