Last night, Coke Studio Africa, the musical show from Coca-Cola had performances by Bebe Cool of Uganda and Falz the Bad Guy of Nigeria. They were amazing performances by top performers and I was fortunate to be at the earlier taping of the show. The production was very impressive to see live, the crowd at the taping was enthralled and it would not be a surprise if the two stars continue to perform together for many years after their first meeting in Nairobi. Coke Studio Africa, now in showing its 2017 edition, has done a lot to introduce musicians from different parts of Africa to new audiences in other parts of the continent – and the rest of the world through the Coke Studio Africa show clips which are available on YouTube and the new songs from each of the seasons that can be downloaded on a Coke Studio Africa app.

Bebe & Falz: Image from Coke Studio Africa

Besides the filming and production of Coke Studio Africa in Nairobi, Coca-Cola has had a busy year in Kenya. In the last few weeks, despite the Kenya election which usually sees a slowdown in corporate activities, they have had two major product launches – one for Minute Maid Pulpy Orange, and another for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar (formerly Coke Zero) which is now available in a wider variety of bottles.

At the same time, the acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Proprietary (CCBA) by Coca-Cola was completed – for continues production of Keringet bottled water brand at Molo. CCBA  also bought out Equator Bottlers at Kisumu, the third largest Coca-Cola bottler in Kenya which supplies products in the Western Kenya.

At the same time Centum Investments which owns 27% of Nairobi bottlers, and 53.9% of Almasi Beverages – both bottlers of Coca-Cola products, also moved to increase their stake in Almasi by offering other shareholders Kshs 7 per share. Almasi had Kshs 7.8 billion of sales in 2016, and a pre-tax profit of Kshs 1.05 billion. Alamasi, the second largest bottler in Kenya behind Nairobi bottlers, and according to Centum – accounts for 28% of the volumes sold in 2016, which puts Coca-Cola sales in the country at  ~Kshs 28 billion.