Coca-Cola Beverages Africa commissions a new US$14.9M line in Malawi
Coca-Cola Beverages Africa ramps up production with new investments in Malawi and beyond.
MALAWI – Coca-Cola Beverages Malawi Limited (CCBM), the Malawian subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), has unveiled a new beverage production line at its plant in Lilongwe.
The company announced a press release issued on Thursday, April 17, disclosing that the project cost US$14.9 million and increases the plant’s capacity by 19,200 bottles per hour, with sizes ranging from 300 milliliters to 2 litres.
According to company officials, the new line is expected to improve the availability of products in Malawi while also supporting the company’s export operations in neighboring Zambia.
In a statement, CCBA noted that the investment reflects its ongoing strategy of producing, sourcing, and distributing within the markets it operates, highlighting confidence in Malawi’s economic prospects.
This development comes amid strong growth projections for the soft drinks market in Southern Africa, with data from Statista showing expected revenues of US$437.3 million in Malawi and US$342.6 million in Zambia by 2025.
Both markets are projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 8% through 2029, indicating steady demand across the region.
However, CCBA is likely to face increased competition from local producers and other global beverage companies, including rival PepsiCo, which is also active in the region.
Broader investments in African markets
The Lilongwe expansion is part of CCBA’s wider efforts to increase its production footprint across the continent, with several major projects already in motion.
In July 2024, the company opened a US$27 million facility in Uganda featuring a high-speed line that can produce up to 67,000 bottles per hour.
CCBA also disclosed a major upgrade in Namibia in November 2024, which includes a new bottling line producing 27,000 bottles an hour and a modern water treatment system aimed at reducing water consumption.
In Kenya, the company has committed to invest up to US$175 million over five years, subject to business performance and market growth.
Separately, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, a partner in the Coca-Cola system, announced plans in September 2024 to inject US$1 billion into its Nigerian operations over the same period.
In addition to these capital investments, CCBA has received recognition for its workplace policies, having been named a Top Employer in Africa for 2025 by the Top Employers Institute.
The certification also covers its operations in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the company citing a focus on staff development and career advancement across all levels.
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