Coca-Cola’s operations in Nigeria supported more than 160,000 jobs and contributed an estimated $1 billion in economic value in 2024, according to an independent study highlighting the company’s links with local suppliers, distributors and retailers.
The findings show that the bulk of the employment impact came from businesses connected to the company rather than its direct workforce, underlining the role of supply chains and distribution networks in supporting jobs across Nigeria’s economy.
Conducted by global consulting firm Steward Redqueen, the study covered The Coca-Cola Company, its authorised bottler, Nigerian Bottling Company, and the wider network of local businesses involved in its operations. According to Brandspur Brand News, the assessment used company data and third-party economic sources to measure direct, indirect and induced economic effects.
Of the jobs supported in 2024, nearly 3,000 were direct positions, while approximately 157,200 were linked to suppliers, business partners and customers. The employment impact spans retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and services. The study estimates that every direct job supported another 53 across the wider economy.
The report also found that the Coca-Cola system purchased $601 million worth of goods and services from Nigerian suppliers during the year. Such spending connects the company’s operations to local businesses that provide products and services across its supply chain.
The findings were announced after the Coca-Cola system marked its 75th anniversary in Nigeria at a gala in Abuja. The company also pointed to investments in recycling infrastructure, including a packaging collection hub in Apapa, Lagos.
The facility can process up to 13,000 metric tonnes of plastic bottles annually. Its operations involve collecting, sorting and recycling polyethylene terephthalate plastics, commonly known as PET, while providing employment opportunities for people in surrounding communities.
Coca-Cola has also maintained a pledge announced in 2024 to invest up to $1 billion in Nigeria over five years. The company has said the planned investment depends on a predictable and supportive business environment.
Beyond its commercial operations, Nigeria is among 20 African markets covered by the Africa Water Stewardship Initiative, a programme involving nearly $25 million in investment through 2030 to address water-related challenges in communities.
However, the published study details do not specify how the estimated $1 billion economic contribution is distributed across sectors. They also do not provide a detailed breakdown of the jobs supported by industry or location.
The figures therefore offer an overall picture of the Coca-Cola system’s reported economic footprint in Nigeria, while leaving questions about the sectoral distribution of its contribution and the precise allocation of employment gains unanswered.
