Sumuni and CCBA-Ethiopia Launch Digital Gateway to Connect Startups and Investors

CCBA in Ethiopia Plans to Invest One Million Birr in Ten Startups and Empower 10,000 Individuals

Addis Ababa Ethiopia – Sumuni, in partnership with Coca-Cola Beverages Africa-Ethiopia (CCBA-Ethiopia), launches the first web and app-based due diligence platform that connects potential investors with entrepreneurs and startups.

The Sumuni gateway, with funding from the Coca-Cola bottler, will support about 10 startups a year with ETB 100, 000 in seed funding for each startup.

The platform also plans to generate foreign direct investment by linking potential foreign investors with Ethiopian entrepreneurs and startups. This promotes economic integration among stakeholders, creating a value chain, and jobs for the youth.

In addition, CCBA-Ethiopia intends to empower 10,000 university graduates, youth entrepreneurs, and small business owners using the Sumuni platform through various trainings and startup support interventions. 

Managing Director of CCBA-Ethiopia Daryl Wilson said: ÒPartnering with Sumuni, CCBA-Ethiopia will maximize its efforts to empower youth and women by digitalizing our CCBA economic inclusion efforts.Ò

The founder and CEO of Sumuni, Biruk Girma, added: ÒAt Sumuni, we bring stakeholders together and foster innovative entrepreneurship to elevate Africa’s economy through efficient partnerships and synergy.Ò

CCBA-Ethiopia is known for its support for economic inclusion initiatives that empower women and youth. Since 2014, the bottler has empowered more than 15 000 women and youth by funding and delivering training on how to collect, recycle and repurpose plastic bottles, along with other empowerment initiatives.

Last year, CCBA initiated an economic inclusion project to empower 600 women returnees in partnership with the Job Creation Commission of Ethiopia, with a total cost of 20 million Birr.

  • Sustainability

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Frank O’Donnell

Chief Commercial and Customer Officer, CCBA

Frank leads CCBA’s commercial agenda, with responsibility for accelerating revenue growth, strengthening route to market and customer partnerships and driving execution excellence across markets.

Frank brings extensive international experience from Coca‑Cola HBC, where he held a range of senior commercial and general management roles. Most recently, he served as Region Director, overseeing 13 markets across Europe, where he led high-performing teams and delivered strong business results.

He is recognised for his strong commercial acumen, customer focus and track record in building high-performing teams across diverse markets.

Gerald Lewis

Chief Information Officer, CCBA

Gerald leads CCBA’s digital, data and technology agenda, focusing on enabling business performance through scalable platforms and enhanced digital capabilities.  Gerald brings extensive international experience, most recently as Head of Technology Strategy & Operations at Coca‑Cola HBC. He has also held senior CIO roles at Bacardi across Africa, the Middle East and Asia, as well as transformation roles at GlaxoSmithKline and Mettler Toledo. He is recognised for translating technology strategy into business value and for leading transformation across emerging markets.

Matthew Welz

General Counsel and Company Secretary, CCBA

Matthew joined us from the Clicks Group, a JSE Top-40 company, where he has been the Head of Legal and Company Secretary since 2016. In this role Matthew successfully navigated a highly regulated environment, including overseeing compliance with company laws and the JSE Listings Requirements. As company secretary, he managed governance at Board level as well as being the Chairman’s chief of staff. Prior to this, Matthew was a Legal Manager with Anglo American, a major multinational diversified mining group, which includes three companies listed on the JSE, with extensive operations across Southern Africa.

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