Coca-Cola’s R51.2 Billion Economic Impact in South Africa: 87,000 Jobs Supported, Study Finds

The Coca-Cola system in South Africa has announced the results of a comprehensive socio-economic impact study conducted by global consulting firm Steward Redqueen.

The Numbers

The study reveals that the Coca-Cola system in South Africacomprising Coca-Cola and its authorized bottlersalongside a broad network of local suppliers, distributors, and retailers, contributed R51.2 billion in value-added economic activity in 2024.

Through its value chain, the system supported over 87,000 jobsmeaning for every direct job created by the system, 10 more jobs were supported across South Africa’s economy.

Local Integration

The study highlights the system’s strong local integration, with R25.6 billion worth of goods and services sourced from suppliers in South Africa in 2024.

This local procurement supports industries as diverse as sugar production, packaging, transportation, and marketing.

The Message

Luis Felipe Avellar, president of the Africa operating unit of The Coca‑Cola Company, spoke during a media briefing hosted by Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau, ahead of the 2026 South Africa Investment Conference.

“Our business is interconnected with local communities, we hire locally, produce locally, distribute locally and, where possible, source locally, helping to build a stronger, more integrated economy in South Africa.”

Charl Goncalves, Managing Director of Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, emphasized the system’s focus on partnerships: “We remain committed to creating opportunity for our people, our partners, and the communities we serve.”

Sunil Gupta, CEO of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, said: “South Africa remains one of our most strategic markets in Africathe beginning of a legacy that dates back to Coca-Cola’s first entry on the continent in 1928.”

Investment and Innovation

The Coca-Cola system has strengthened its footprint in South Africa through sustained investment and innovation, including the launch of a new bottling line at CCBSA’s manufacturing facility in Midrand.

South Africa is also one of the beneficiaries of the Africa Water Stewardship Initiativea nearly $25 million investment through 2030 to help address critical water-related challenges in 20 African countries.

The Methodology

The Steward Redqueen study measured the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of the Coca-Cola system in South Africa, combining company operational data with trusted third-party economic sources.

The Bottom Line

R51.2 billion. 87,000 jobs. R25.6 billion in local procurement. One of the country’s most strategic markets.

Coca-Cola’s impact in South Africa is not just about beveragesit’s about the ripple effects across the economy, from farmers to retailers.