Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has announced the graduation of 31 leaders from its EDGE Senior Leadership Acceleration Programme, marking the completion of the programme's second generation and the first pan-African EDGE cohort. The programme, created by CCBA, is the company's flagship senior leadership development initiative, designed to equip high-potential leaders with the skills and perspectives needed to drive growth and create value across the business. Developed in partnership with Henley Business School Africa, the programme provides a platform for leaders to gain practical experience in addressing real business opportunities and challenges.
The graduating cohort represented leaders from multiple countries and business functions, including representatives from 12 African countries. Through classroom learning, business projects, mentoring, and coaching, participants gained practical experience in addressing real business opportunities and challenges. The programme's curriculum focused on strategy, value creation, transformation, commercial decision-making, leading self, and leading teams. Participants also presented business projects aligned to organisational priorities as part of the programme's graduation requirements.
CCBA serves more than 840,000 customers across Africa, and the company requires leaders who can navigate complexity and create value in diverse markets. The EDGE programme helps build these capabilities through practical, business-focused learning. According to Natasa Prodanovic, Chief People and Culture Officer at CCBA, "People are at the heart of everything we do, and programmes like EDGE demonstrate our commitment to investing in their growth and future success."
The 2026 cohort marks an important milestone for EDGE, as the programme brought together leaders from across the Coca-Cola system, including The Coca-Cola Company, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. By learning alongside colleagues from different parts of the system, participants were able to build meaningful connections, share diverse perspectives, and strengthen collaboration across markets.
EDGE forms part of CCBA's broader commitment to developing future leaders and building the capabilities needed to drive sustainable growth and impact across Africa. With over 13,000 employees in Africa, CCBA group services more than 840,000 customers with a host of international and local brands. The company operates in 14 countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, and the islands of Comoros and Mayotte.
CCBA is the eighth largest Coca-Cola authorised bottler in the world by revenue and the largest on the continent, accounting for over 40% of all Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverages sold in Africa by volume. The company's commitment to leadership development is reflected in its investment in programmes like EDGE, which aims to equip leaders with the skills and perspectives needed to drive growth and create value across the business.
The graduation of the 2026 EDGE cohort demonstrates CCBA's commitment to investing in the growth and future success of its leaders. As the company continues to operate in diverse markets across Africa, it requires leaders who can navigate complexity and create value. Programmes like EDGE play a critical role in building these capabilities, and CCBA is well-positioned to drive sustainable growth and impact across the continent.
Key points
- Thirty-one leaders from 12 African countries graduate from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa's EDGE Senior Leadership Acceleration Programme.
- The programme aims to equip high-potential leaders with the skills and perspectives needed to drive growth and create value across the business.
- CCBA serves more than 840,000 customers across Africa and operates in 14 countries.
