The Coca-Cola System in Nigeria has announced plans to invest an additional $1bn in Nigeria over the next five years. This plan is contingent on a predictable and enabling policy environment. The announcement was made following a new socio-economic assessment of the Coca-Cola System in Nigeria conducted by global consultancy, Steward Redqueen, in 2024.
The study examined the economic contributions of the Coca-Cola System, comprising Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its authorised bottler, the Nigerian Bottling Company. It used the Nobel Prize-winning Leontief input-output economic model. According to the release, the Coca-Cola System supported approximately 160,200 jobs throughout its value chain. This includes 2,989 direct employees and more than 157,200 additional jobs sustained indirectly across sectors such as agriculture, logistics, retail, hospitality and distribution.
The study found that for every job created directly by the company, an additional 53 jobs were supported elsewhere in the economy. This reflects the multiplier effect of its operations and supply chain activities. The report estimated that the Coca-Cola System generated $1 billion in value-added economic activity within Nigeria during the period under review. It also disclosed that the company spent about $601 million annually on goods and services sourced from local suppliers.
The assessment noted that a significant proportion of ingredients, packaging materials and other production inputs used by the Coca-Cola System are sourced, produced and distributed locally. This approach has enabled the company to deepen its integration into Nigeria’s agricultural, manufacturing and logistics sectors while extending economic opportunities to businesses and individuals across the country.
The report highlighted the company’s sustainability-focused investments, particularly in waste management and water stewardship. It pointed to the launch of a packaging collection hub in Apapa, Lagos, which is capable of processing 13,000 metric tonnes of PET plastic annually. The facility is expected to support about 1,000 informal waste collectors and strengthen Nigeria’s recycling ecosystem.
In the area of water sustainability, the report highlighted a $25 million Africa-wide water stewardship initiative covering 20 markets, including Nigeria. Communities in Borno and Imo states have already benefited from projects such as borehole rehabilitation, sanitation infrastructure and riverbank restoration efforts. More than 2.6 million people have reportedly been impacted by these initiatives.
The assessment concluded that the Coca-Cola System’s impact extends beyond beverage production, with contributions spanning job creation, local sourcing, environmental sustainability and community development. The System’s continued alignment of global expertise with local ambition will be critical to scaling its impact and translating commercial presence into broader economic opportunities for Nigerians.
Key points
- Coca-Cola plans to invest $1bn in Nigeria over five years.
- The company supports 160,200 jobs throughout its value chain.
- Coca-Cola generated $1 billion in value-added economic activity within Nigeria.
