The Next Frontier for Consumer Goods
With growth expected to reach 5.7 percent on average in 2015, Africa is home to six of the top 10 fastest growing economies in the world, according to the African Development Bank Group. Consequently, three of the biggest names in consumer goods and retailing plan to tap significant business and financial opportunities in Africa despite its challenges.
During the U.S.-Africa Business Forum in Washington, D.C. in early August, Walmart’s Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon explored the future of U.S.-Africa partnerships and identified new ways to strengthen business ties and enable greater economic progress alongside President Bill Clinton. McMillon reiterated Walmart’s commitment to the continent: “We’re investing in Sub-Saharan Africa for the long term, empowering African producers through hands-on training and using our global supply chain to connect them with our businesses around the world.” To that end, Walmart will further strengthen its commitment to empowering its supply chain in Africa by announcing a $3 million investment in three farmer training programs in Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya.
The Danone Group formed a partnership with Brookside, East Africa’s leading dairy products group, which will significantly enhance its platform in Africa. By uniting Danone’s international expertise in Fresh Dairy Products with Brookside’s regional expertise and robust supply chain, the partnership will enable Brookside to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its geographical presence in key markets in East Africa, including Uganda and Tanzania.
The Coca-Cola Company and its African bottling partners made headlines in August when it announced a new investment of $5 billion to be made over the next six years. The pledge increases the company’s total investment in Africa to $17 billion from 2010 to 2020. The investment will fund new
manufacturing lines, cooling and distribution equipment and production; create additional jobs and opportunities across Coca-Cola’s African supply chain; and support key sustainability initiatives and programs focused on safe water access, sustainable sourcing, women’s economic empowerment, community well-being and operational efficiency improvements.
“As an organization that has been part of the economic and social fabric of Africa since 1928, we and our local bottling partners have seen, firsthand, the great promise and potential of this dynamic, growing and vibrant continent,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company.
During the U.S.-Africa Business Forum in Washington, D.C. in early August, Walmart’s Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon explored the future of U.S.-Africa partnerships and identified new ways to strengthen business ties and enable greater economic progress alongside President Bill Clinton. McMillon reiterated Walmart’s commitment to the continent: “We’re investing in Sub-Saharan Africa for the long term, empowering African producers through hands-on training and using our global supply chain to connect them with our businesses around the world.” To that end, Walmart will further strengthen its commitment to empowering its supply chain in Africa by announcing a $3 million investment in three farmer training programs in Rwanda, Zambia and Kenya.
The Danone Group formed a partnership with Brookside, East Africa’s leading dairy products group, which will significantly enhance its platform in Africa. By uniting Danone’s international expertise in Fresh Dairy Products with Brookside’s regional expertise and robust supply chain, the partnership will enable Brookside to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its geographical presence in key markets in East Africa, including Uganda and Tanzania.
The Coca-Cola Company and its African bottling partners made headlines in August when it announced a new investment of $5 billion to be made over the next six years. The pledge increases the company’s total investment in Africa to $17 billion from 2010 to 2020. The investment will fund new
manufacturing lines, cooling and distribution equipment and production; create additional jobs and opportunities across Coca-Cola’s African supply chain; and support key sustainability initiatives and programs focused on safe water access, sustainable sourcing, women’s economic empowerment, community well-being and operational efficiency improvements.
“As an organization that has been part of the economic and social fabric of Africa since 1928, we and our local bottling partners have seen, firsthand, the great promise and potential of this dynamic, growing and vibrant continent,” said Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive officer of The Coca-Cola Company.