Coca-Cola HBC has moved closer to taking control of one of Africa’s biggest beverage bottling businesses after South Africa’s Competition Tribunal approved its proposed acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), subject to conditions.
The regulatory approval marks an important step in a transaction that would significantly expand Coca-Cola HBC’s operations across the continent and strengthen its position in Africa’s beverage market.
Under the planned deal, Coca-Cola HBC will acquire a 75 per cent stake in CCBA, with an option to purchase the remaining 25 per cent within six years. Once completed, the combined business is expected to account for about two-thirds of Coca-Cola system volumes in Africa.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the transaction comes at a time of increased investment in Coca-Cola’s African bottling and distribution operations, with South Africa remaining a major market for the beverage company.
The deal is also unfolding alongside plans for a R17.6 billion, approximately $1.09 billion, expansion of Coca-Cola’s bottling operations in South Africa. The investment, announced in the first half of 2026, is expected to strengthen the company’s production and distribution capacity in the country.
Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/09/10/coca-cola-reviews-media-account-after-publicis-pepsico-win/
CCBA already has an extensive presence across Africa, bottling and distributing Coca-Cola products in several markets. Bringing the business under Coca-Cola HBC would considerably enlarge the latter’s operational footprint and give it greater exposure to consumers across the continent.
The transaction could also have wider implications for Coca-Cola’s African supply chain, covering areas such as manufacturing, logistics, distribution and retail as the combined operation handles a larger share of the company’s beverage volumes.
Coca-Cola HBC is also planning a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, a move that would deepen its presence in African capital markets as it expands its business on the continent.
Completion of the CCBA transaction remains subject to the conditions attached to the regulatory approval and other requirements associated with the deal.
