African Originals becomes first African gin and cider company to achieve B Corp certification 

KENYA – Kenyan beverage company African Originals has become the first gin and cider producer in Africa to receive B Corp certification, a recognition granted to companies that meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance.  

The certification is awarded by B Lab, a global non-profit that evaluates companies on their impact on workers, customers, communities, and the environment. 

African Originals, known for its KO Cider and Mara Gin brands, joins a global network of nearly 10,000 certified B Corporations.  

The company’s approach integrates sustainability into every aspect of its operations. It supports smallholder farmers, promotes youth and women entrepreneurship, and implements waste reduction strategies. 

The company has set ambitious targets for its growth and impact. These include increasing farm-fresh sourcing by 1.5 times annually and scaling up investments in women and youth-led enterprises by 1.2 times each year.  

Initiatives such as its ‘She Originals’ workshops are central to this agenda. African Originals also aims to eliminate plastic use by 2026 and reduce paper dependency by 2027. 

In December 2024, African Originals recorded 80-million-unit sales and attracted a US$2 million investment in September to support expansion into additional markets across the continent.  

CEO and founder Alexandra Chappatte emphasized the company’s vision to drive positive change in Africa while blending tradition and innovation in its beverage offerings. 

B Lab Africa CEO Lucy Muigai noted that African Originals’ certification reflects a growing trend in Africa’s beverage industry towards sustainable and inclusive business models. 

In line with its expansion strategy, African Originals recently launched a new range of premium ready-to-drink cocktails under the 5.8 Gin & Tonic brand.  

The new lineup features three flavors—Spiced Orange, The Classic, and Very Berry—each packaged in 330ml cans with 5% alcohol content, designed for convenient and social consumption. 

To support further growth, the company is currently raising an additional US$2 million in funding, split equally between equity and debt.  

The funds will be used to increase production capacity and strengthen working capital, according to Chappatte in an interview with Bloomberg. 

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