Nigerian Bottling Company marks 75 years in Nigeria, Coca-Cola HBC confirms investment plan
In Abuja, Nigeria, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), part of the Coca-Cola HBC Group, marked 75 years of operating in the country. The ceremony was held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the special guest of honour and was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Premium Times Nigeria reports.
Akume congratulated NBC on the anniversary and noted the investments of the Coca-Cola system in Nigeria. On behalf of the president, he said that the authorities welcome companies that manufacture products in the country, develop local talent, strengthen supply chains and support communities.
Production and employment
According to NBC, the company began production in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos in 1951. Its network now includes eight plants, 11 depots and 52 commercial territories. The company said that its operations and value chain contribute to economic activity in manufacturing, logistics, distribution, retail and other sectors.
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According to an economic impact study by Steward Redqueen, the Coca-Cola system generated approximately $1 billion in additional economic activity across the entire value chain in Nigeria in 2024. The study also refers to more than 160,000 jobs, including nearly 3,000 direct jobs and approximately 157,200 jobs in retail, agriculture, manufacturing, transport and services. In the same year, the system purchased nearly $601 million worth of goods and services from Nigerian suppliers, according to the researchers' estimate.
Investment and support for entrepreneurs
Coca-Cola HBC CEO Zoran Bogdanovic confirmed that the group is continuing to implement its intention, announced in 2024, to invest up to $1 billion in Nigeria over five years. He noted that this depends on a predictable and favourable business environment. According to him, the company is already investing in expanding production capacity at the Asejire plant in Oyo State and the Challawa plant in Kano State.
Bogdanovic also announced a commitment by the Coca-Cola HBC Foundation to allocate $1.25 million over the next three years to support young Nigerian entrepreneurs in the hospitality and food service sectors. The programme provides grants, entrepreneurship training, assistance with business formalisation and mentoring. Separately, the Coca-Cola Foundation announced a commitment to provide $1.25 million for more sustainable water supply solutions for thousands of residents of Nigeria.
