Sofavin opens new US$31.4M Coca-Cola bottling plant in Gabon
GABON – Sofavin, a subsidiary of the Fobert Group, has inaugurated a new bottling plant in Owendo, approximately 12 miles from Libreville, Gabon.
The facility, built on 40 hectares, is part of Sofavin’s CFA20 billion (US$31.4 million) investment aimed at meeting Coca-Cola’s international standards.
An additional CFA15 billion (US$23.5 million) investment is planned over the next two years to further enhance production capabilities.
“We’ve invested over CFA20 billion since joining the Coca-Cola network to meet the standards and requirements of Coca-Cola International and boost our production capacity,” said André Lebouama, Deputy Director representing the Fobert Group.
The project received financial support from two major banks, BGFIBank and the Union Gabonaise de Banques (UGB). Sofavin has not disclosed the specific contributions from each bank but acknowledged their crucial role in bringing the project to fruition.
The new factory is equipped with three state-of-the-art production lines capable of producing 5,000 plastic bottles, 32,000 glass bottles, and 15,000 cans per hour.
It will manufacture and package Coca-Cola’s flagship beverages, including Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, and Schweppes. Products will be available in returnable glass bottles, plastic bottles, and cans while adhering to stringent quality and safety standards.
Beyond increasing beverage production, the factory is expected to generate 700 direct and indirect jobs in Gabon. To support workforce development, a continuous training program has been implemented to enhance local talent and skill levels.
“The presence of the Head of State at this ceremony demonstrates his commitment to promoting the economic and industrial development of our country on the one hand, and his vision for a more competitive Gabon resolutely turned towards the future on the other hand,” Sofavin said in a statement.
Sofavin became the official Coca-Cola bottler in Gabon in May 2022, replacing Sobraga, a subsidiary of the Castel Group, which had held the partnership for 25 years.
The transition followed Coca-Cola’s decision to end its relationship with Castel Group and its subsidiaries, leading to changes in bottlers in Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Madagascar, and Senegal.
Despite losing Coca-Cola’s portfolio, Sobraga continues to distribute its own brands, including World Cola and D’jino, in Gabon’s soft drinks market.
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