Zimbabwe is among the 20 African countries set to benefit from a $25 million investment by the Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners to address water-related challenges in local communities, as this initiative is starting and will run through 2030.
The initiative, called “The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative,” will be led by Global Water Challenge and implemented by a consortium of partners, including The Nature Conservancy, The International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the World Wildlife Fund.
Karyn Harrington, Vice President of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company’s Africa Operating Unit indicated “Water is a priority for The Coca-Cola Company and its local bottling partners because it is essential to life, the communities we serve and our beverages.
“As we face increasing water insecurity worldwide, with demand outstripping supply in many regions such as Africa, Coca-Cola is taking steps to help accelerate efforts to address water stress, protect local water resources, and build community climate resilience. Our 2030 Water Security Strategy focuses on helping enhance water security where we operate, source ingredients, and touch lives.”
“One in three Africans face water insecurity. The Global Water Challenge and ‘The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative’ partner coalition will seek to improve water security for millions across the African continent, helping advance community health and resilience through abundant, clean water. We applaud Coca-Cola’s continued leadership on African water security” said Monica Ellis, CEO of GWC.
‘The Coca-Cola System’s Africa Water Stewardship Initiative’ aims to help protect and enhance the health of important watersheds and to help improve access to water and sanitation services in local communities. We will have projects in Algeria, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
“CCBA has a responsibility to help those who face water scarcity and to help protect local water resources where we operate, especially in places with the biggest challenges. We are proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company on this project,” says Layla Jeevanantham, Chief Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Officer at CCBA.
“We are proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company and fellow bottlers on this critical initiative to help tackle water challenges across Africa. By working together, we can leverage the expertise of our partners and the knowledge of local communities to help create sustainable solutions that enhance water access and safeguard vital water resources,” said Sonia Ventosa, Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability Manager at ECCBC.
“Coca-Cola HBC has been part of African communities for more than 70 years, and sustainability is an important part of how we operate. We’re very happy to see this new water initiative come to life and to support the system’s water stewardship efforts,” said Marcel Martin, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Coca-Cola HBC.
Recognising the importance of partnerships in supporting this work, the corporation and its bottlers are working with governments, businesses, and civil society organisations to develop and implement strategic solutions.
In addition to supporting the company’s water strategy, this endeavour intends to help advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.
This water initiative will build on The Coca-Cola Foundation’s (TCCF) Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), a ground-breaking collaboration with key partners and co-funders that improved access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for 6 million people in African countries between 2009 and 2019. Through 120 projects, the effort improved homes, schools, and healthcare clinics in almost 4,000 communities.
