CCBA Ethiopia appoints first African Managing Director, Melkamu Abebe
ETHIOPIA – Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Ethiopia has named Melkamu Abebe as its new Managing Director, making him the first Ethiopian to hold this leadership position.
His appointment follows a successful tenure as General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda (CCBU), where he played a key role in integrating bottling entities and optimizing operations.
Melkamu brings over 16 years of experience in the Coca-Cola system, having joined the company in 2008 through its Graduates in Training Programme.
Over the years, he has held various roles in supply chain management and general operations, demonstrating a strong track record in business growth and logistics optimization.
As he takes on his new role, Melkamu will lead CCBA’s expansion in Ethiopia, a market with substantial growth potential for the company. Ethiopia is one of six key markets for CCBA, which operates in 15 countries across Africa.
CCBA’s Chief Operating Officer, Gavin Hudson, highlighted the company’s commitment to employee growth and professional development.
“We have a people-first culture that ensures unparalleled professional development for our valued employees. We empower individuals to thrive, and our certification as a Top Employer in Ethiopia and Uganda, as well as in Africa at the regional level, reflects the strength of our commitment to being an employer of choice for professionals with a desire to learn and grow,” Hudson said.
CCBA operates in Ethiopia through its subsidiary, East Africa Bottling Share Company (EABSC), which has served the country for over 60 years.
EABSC runs four plants located in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Dire Dawa, and Sebeta.
The Sebeta plant, inaugurated in May 2022, is the largest Coca-Cola facility in Ethiopia, with a production capacity of 72,000 cases per day.
This addition brings EABSC’s total output to 352,000 cases per day, strengthening its ability to serve Ethiopia’s growing beverage market.
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