Lilongwe, Malawi: A group of fifty women with disabilities from Ntcheu District have received a kickstart for their food vending businesses, thanks to support from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Malawi.
Through the Kuwala ndi Malonda: Ntcheu Queens project, the women were empowered with comprehensive training in entrepreneurship, business management and retailing of Coca-Cola products. Additionally, they were equipped with essential tools such as microwaves and iceboxes, enabling them to expand and enhance their businesses effectively.
The women, all members of the Voice of Women with Disability, were equipped with restaurant start-up kits as well as mentorship. Their businesses now operate as Coca-Cola retail outlets, creating shared value and contributing to increased sales.
“I never thought I could run a business. Today, I serve meals, earn an income, and proudly sell Coca-Cola products. This project gave me more than tools - it gave me dignity,” said Tiwonge Golombe, a beneficiary of the project.
Neil French, General Manager of CCBA in Malawi, said: “Our aim is to inspire excellence and set the standard as Africa’s most respected and admired company, fostering growth, innovation and impact in fulfilment of our vision to refresh Africa and create shared value.”
“We are dedicated to delivering exceptional service across every touchpoint of our business.”
“We create value for our customers through service excellence and customer centricity across our business, helping them grow with leading in-trade execution and best-in-class distribution.”
The training was delivered on behalf of CCBA in Malawi by STEM Consult Malawi, a social enterprise focused on reducing economic inequality. Through its business advisory and training programmes, STEM Consult Malawi supported the Ntcheu Queens in becoming entrepreneurs in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s value chain.
“For CCBA, partnering with customers involves execution that reflects the unique needs of different market segments across Africa by ensuring product availability at the right time, in the right place, and at the right price. We achieve this by leveraging data and analytics to anticipate customer demand and preferences.
“It is also about delivering value beyond the product by providing best-in-class service to retail partners and helping customers to grow their businesses through insights, promotions, and tailored support,” French said.
