CCBA Expands Leadership Development Programme Across Africa

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has expanded its senior leadership development programme, EDGE, to cover more markets across Africa. The programme's second generation has brought together 31 executives from 12 African countries in its first pan-African cohort. The leaders graduated from the EDGE Senior Leadership Acceleration Programme on November 4 in Bryanston, Johannesburg. This expansion aims to strengthen collaboration, leadership capabilities, and knowledge-sharing across different markets.

The 2026 cohort includes leaders from across the Coca-Cola system, including CCBA, The Coca-Cola Company, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. The programme was developed by CCBA in partnership with Henley Business School Africa. EDGE is designed to equip high-potential executives with the skills and experience needed to drive business growth, improve performance, and create value. The programme combines classroom learning with business projects, mentoring, and coaching.

Participants underwent training in strategy, value creation, business transformation, commercial decision-making, personal leadership, and team management. The programme allowed participants to apply their knowledge to practical business challenges and opportunities. Natasa Prodanovic, CCBA's Chief People and Culture Officer, emphasized that investing in employees' development is central to the company's long-term growth ambitions. She highlighted that programmes like EDGE demonstrate the company's commitment to investing in employees' growth and future success.

Prodanovic also noted that bringing together leaders from different companies within the Coca-Cola system has created opportunities for participants to exchange experiences, build professional relationships, and strengthen collaboration across markets. CCBA serves more than 840,000 customers across Africa, a market that requires leaders capable of navigating different consumer preferences, operating environments, and business challenges. The company said EDGE forms part of its wider strategy to develop future leaders and build the organisational capabilities required to sustain growth across its African operations.

The programme requires participants to present business projects aligned with the company's strategic priorities as part of their graduation requirements, linking leadership development to practical business outcomes. This approach ensures that the leadership development programme has a direct impact on the company's business goals. By investing in its employees' growth, CCBA aims to drive business growth and improve performance across its African operations.

The expansion of the EDGE programme is a significant step in CCBA's efforts to develop future leaders and build organisational capabilities. The programme's pan-African cohort brings together leaders from different countries and companies, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and collaboration. By equipping high-potential executives with the skills and experience needed to drive business growth, CCBA is positioning itself for long-term success in the African market.

The success of the EDGE programme is a testament to CCBA's commitment to investing in its employees' growth and development. As the company continues to expand its operations across Africa, it is likely that the programme will play a critical role in developing the leadership capabilities required to drive business growth and improve performance. With its focus on practical business outcomes, the EDGE programme is well-positioned to support CCBA's long-term growth ambitions.

Key points

• CCBA expands EDGE Senior Leadership Acceleration Programme to 12 African countries
• Programme aims to strengthen collaboration, leadership capabilities, and knowledge-sharing across different markets
• EDGE forms part of CCBA's wider strategy to develop future leaders and build organisational capabilities required to sustain growth across its African operations