Economy

MBABANE - Michael Goltzman, Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy, Environmental Sustainability and Social Impact at The Coca-Cola Company, has reaffirmed the company’s enduring commitment to Africa and Eswatini.

Goltzman highlighted the transformative impact of its local-first business model across the continent.

Goltzman made these remarks during a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Mswati III at the Ludzidzini Royal Residence, where The Coca-Cola Company executives were presenting their annual update on the company’s operations.

Reflecting on Coca-Cola’s deep roots in Africa, which date back to 1928, and its four-decade presence in Eswatini, Goltzman said:

“The same model has guided us in Africa, where we have been active since 1928, and as the minister mentioned, in Eswatini for four decades now.”

In 2024 alone, the Coca-Cola system contributed over US$10 billion (approximately E172.3 billion) in added value to African economies and supported more than one million jobs. This success, Goltzman emphasised, is driven by Coca-Cola’s strategy of local sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution—creating employment across agriculture, retail, transport and services. Eswatini plays a key role as a strategic hub in Coca-Cola’s regional operations. The company’s state-of-the-art facility in the country manufactures and exports concentrates and beverage bases to more than 24 countries across West, East and Southern Africa.

“We employ more than 200 local citizens and are investing in local communities through a number of sustainability projects,” Goltzman noted.

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Michael Goltzman, Senior Vice President of Global Public Policy, Environmental Sustainability and Social Impact at The Coca-Cola Company. (Pic: X/Fortune Magazine)