Coca-Cola to incur $1bn charge for African bottling stake sale

Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Shares of Coca-Cola dipped about 1% in late-afternoon session.

Recently, Swiss-based bottler Coca-Cola HBC said it had agreed to buy a 75% stake in its African counterpart for $2.6bn.

Coca-Cola HBC would be acquiring US-based Coca-Cola's nearly 42% stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) and the Gutsche Family Investments' entire stake, valuing the African bottler at $3.4bn, according to company statements.

The deal is expected to close by late 2026, positioning Coca-Cola HBC as the second-largest Coca-Cola bottler globally by volume after Coca-Cola FEMSA, while significantly expanding its presence in Africa.

The deal helps Coca-Cola HBC in tapping into growing demand in 14 African markets, driven by younger consumers, while also helping offset rising cost pressures, including concerns over U.S. tariffs.

Coca-Cola HBC plans to pursue a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and holds an option to acquire Coca-Cola's remaining 25% stake in CCBA within six years of closing.

Georgia-based Coca-Cola reported upbeat third-quarter results recently on the back of robust demand for its zero-sugar drinks and Fairlife in the US and sodas in some international markets.