• CCBA invested $20.4 million to expand its Midrand plant’s production capacity.

• The new line will bottle 72,000 units per hour, targeting growing demand for Bonaqua and Powerade.

• This is part of a broader southern Africa growth strategy, following similar investments in Malawi and Namibia.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has launched a new production line in Midrand, Gauteng, investing 365 million rand ($20.4 million) to increase its production capacity in South Africa. The announcement came via a company press release on July 25.

CCBA, the largest bottler of The Coca-Cola Company in Africa, aims to strengthen its grip on the local soft drinks market with this expansion. The new line will boost the Midrand facility’s capacity by 72,000 bottles per hour.

The line will focus on bottling Bonaqua Pump Still mineral water and Powerade energy drinks. CCBA said the move supports its strategy to diversify offerings and meet rising demand.

Moses Lubisi, manufacturing and technical director at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), emphasized the broader impact. “By launching this new line, we strengthen our ability to meet growing consumer demand and create shared value across the local value chain, including for our customers and communities,” he said.

The investment underlines CCBA’s long-term ambition to dominate Southern Africa’s beverage market. In April 2024, CCBA invested $15 million to expand production in Malawi. In November 2024, it committed $50 million to bolster its Namibian operations.

“This new production line in South Africa represents a key step in our ambitious growth plans in all our markets on the continent," said CCBA CEO Sunil Gupta.

Market data supports the company’s confidence. According to Statista, South Africa’s soft drinks sector is expected to reach $3.61 billion in 2025, with annual growth projected at 5.5% through 2029.

CCBSA has operated in South Africa since 2016 and currently runs 13 manufacturing plants across six provinces.

This article was initially published in French by Stéphanas Assocle
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum