Chairman & CEO message
Letter from our Chairman
Alfonso Líbano Daurella
Chairman
Since we launched our ESG Impact Strategy 2030 in 2022 with the vision to create lasting value for our communities and investing in a better future for Africa, we have exceeded our targets every year. Today, my confidence in our future is stronger than ever. Our strategy is well-defined and centered on our people—our consumers and employees—and on developing sustainable solutions that strengthen our business against current and future challenges while protecting our planet. Our dedication to ESG principles is a fundamental aspect of our business strategy. We emphasize three main areas: Environmental Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and Robust Governance. These pillars guide our actions, ensuring we operate with integrity and a clear sense of purpose.
Protecting our environment is at the core of our mission. Over the past year, we have made significant progress in reducing our environmental footprint. We have improved our water and energy management practices and enhanced our circular economy initiatives, while working on a decarbonation roadmap.
We believe in creating a positive social impact both within our organization and in the communities where we operate. Our commitment to our employees is reflected in our initiative to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. We continue to invest in programs that support the health, education, and well-being of our employees and their families. Additionally, our community outreach programs focus on empowering local communities through education, health services, and economic development. One of the highlights of the year was the devastating earthquake that hit Al Haouz in Morocco, we acted quickly, giving immediate help and continued support to the affected communities. We are still involved in the area, committed to supporting long-term recovery and resilience projects.
Strong governance is essential to our success. We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. Our governance framework ensures that we are proactive in managing risks and seizing opportunities.
The accomplishments detailed in this report are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. While we are proud of our progress, we recognize that our journey towards sustainability is ongoing. We are committed to continuous improvement and innovation, always seeking new ways to enhance our impact.
In closing, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all our stakeholders—our employees, customers, partners, and communities—for their unwavering support and trust. Together, we are building a sustainable and prosperous future. Thank you for your continued partnership and confidence in ECCBC.
Chairman & CEO message
Letter from our Chief Executive
Alfonso Bosch
CEO
As we look back on our recent achievements, ECCBC has made significant progress while staying true to our ESG Impact Strategy. Even as we navigate the complexities of integrating new businesses, our commitment to sustainable practices remains strong.
To align with our strategic priorities and emphasize our focus on Sustainability, ECCBC has established the ESG Board Committee and the ESG Steering Committee. These initiatives highlight the importance of ESG in our organization and its role in driving our relevance and transformation.
Throughout 2023, ECCBC has integrated sustainability principles into our core business strategies and decision-making processes. The creation of the ESG Delivery Unit (DU) has been pivotal, with around 70 cross-functional members dedicated to implementing and advancing our ESG strategy across all functions and business units.
Moreover, the launch of the ESG Academy underscores our commitment to educating all ECCBC employees, from executives to operational staff, about ESG values. This learning initiative aims to align our global operations with our ESG goals through training and development programs.
This year, ECCBC has received numerous awards in ESG practices, these include the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, Communitas Awards, Ghana CSR Excellence Awards, and being a finalist for the World Sustainability Awards 2023.
Our collaborations with strategic partners, locally and internationally, have been instrumental, allowing us to amplify the impact of our efforts. Notably, our partnership with PowerAfrica, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and multiple development institutions, as well as NGOs.
Looking ahead, our focus on sustainable innovation and strengthening community ties remains central to our strategy. We are committed to working with local suppliers and leveraging our local business model to enhance efficiency and community impact. These efforts are essential for setting industry benchmarks for a sustainable future. I would like to thank our teams, partners, and stakeholders for their unwavering support and contributions to our achievements this year. As we anticipate future opportunities, I am confident that ECCBC will continue to adapt with integrity and agility, making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve.
Executive summary
Our commitment to ESG excellence extends beyond rhetoric to tangible action. We have set ambitious ESG targets that reflect our dedication to measurable progress and accountability.
At Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company (ECCBC), our dedication to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence remains unwavering as we navigate the complex landscape of sustainability challenges.
In alignment with our core values, we prioritize the most pertinent ESG issues facing our company, stakeholders, and communities, recognizing their pivotal role in shaping our collective future.
Through close collaboration with esteemed partners, we continually evaluate and evolve our ESG priorities, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful. These priorities are seamlessly integrated into our business strategy and operational practices, serving as the bedrock upon which we build resilience and foster growth.
This report serves as a testament to our transparency and commitment to reporting on our journey towards achieving these targets up to December 31st, 2023
Our company
At a glance
Presently, ECCBC operates across 13 African countries, effectively reaching more than 160 million consumers and servicing in excess of 250,000 retail outlets, facilitating approximately 2.4 billion transactions annually.
We are the bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company across North and West Africa, where our teams produce, commercialize, and distributes the world’s most-loved brands and a wide choice of high-quality beverages including Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Sprite. Equatorial Coca-Cola’s (ECCBC) story began in 1989 in Equatorial Guinea, before expanding to other countries including Guinea Conakry, Mauritania, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, and The Gambia. In 1997, ECCBC was re-founded as a Group to serve as a platform for growth into new territories like Ghana, Morocco, and Algeria.
1951
The Daurella Family has maintained a remarkable, long standing partnership with Coca-Cola since 1951.
Along the way, they acquired the rights to distribute Coca-Cola in Equatorial Guinea.
1989
Operations were discontinued due to conflict, but they were restarted in 1989, with just 6 employees and 50,000 cases.
1993-1996
COBEGA’s African business expands to new territories: Guinea Conakry, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Cape Verde and the Gambia
1997
ECCBC is born, along with the acquisitions of Ghana and Sierra Leone. Soon afterwards, Liberia and São Tomé are added to company’s growing footprint.
2002
The first investments are made in Morocco. The full number of acquisitions in Morocco are completed in 2005.
2004
ECCBC acquires Ceris S.A., a Cape Verdean brewery.
2005
ECCBC acquires Fruital S.A., a Coca-Cola bottler in central Algeria
2010
ECCBC reaches 100 million unit cases (570 million liters).
2012
ECCBC reaches 150 million unit cases (951 million liters).
2013
ECCBC starts the first Coca-Cola franchise in South Sudan.
2020
Equatorial Coca-Cola establishes the group’s Head Office in Casablanca, Morocco
2022
Equatorial Coca-Cola integrated East and West territories in Algeria and reached an agreement to acquire Northern Morocco.
2023
ECCBC reached above 200 million unit cases (1.14 billion liters)
Our operations
After more than 30 years reaching over 160 million consumers serving more than 250 000 points of sale with above 2.4 billion transactions per year, and creating indirect jobs to over 30 000 people in Africa.
Company facts
+30
Years
Head Office
Casablanca, Morocco
13
Operational markets
24
Brands
ECCBC
+5.000
Total FTE associates
+250.000
Points of sale
+160M
Consumers
+35.000
Indirect jobs creation in Africa
Above 2.4B
Transactions per year
2023 Performance
1B $
Turnover
2.4 billion
Transactions
42
Production lines
10
Bottling plants
Our vision
To become the best beverage company in each of the countries that we operate in and a leading Coca-Cola system bottler in Africa.
Our values
Accountability
We are accountable and transparent in everything we do. As responsible members of our communities, we think globally and act locally.
Diversity
Diversity is part of our DNA. We create inclusive environments, valuing and championing uniqueness, and promoting inclusive leadership to drive excellence.
Excellence
Our production, quality and execution are consistently seeking excellence, we are adapting swiftly to market challenges with a constructive mindset. We strive for excellence in production, quality, and execution, maintaining a constructive mindset to swiftly adapt to market challenges.
Passion
We share the hopes and aspirations of our local communities and we believe in what we do. We have fun at work and we are passionate about refreshments, consumers, customers and people
A winning team
Through trust, collaboration, and dedication, we achieve more than the sum of our parts. We working together to achieve our shared goals.
Sustainability
We work collaboratively with our stakeholders and communities to preserve the planet, support people, and ensure prosperity for future generations.
Awards
These awards highlight ECCBC’s dedication to fostering a culture of safety and excellence throughout our operations in Africa.
ECCBC takes immense pride in our commitment to sustainability, which has garnered recognition and acclaim across various esteemed platforms. Our dedication to excellence and positive impact has been underscored by several notable awards:
Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards
Achieving the Bronze Winner status at these prestigious awards highlights our commitment to excellence within the region.
Communitas Awards
ECCBC has emerged victorious in the Leadership in Ethical and Environmental Responsibility category for the Communitas Awards.
These awards acknowledge exceptional individuals, organizations, and businesses that contribute their resources to benefit their local communities. Our ESG Delivery Unit project paved the way for this prestigious award. This project exemplifies our commitment to seamlessly intertwining social, economic, and environmental elements into our daily operations.
Ghana CSR Excellence Awards
ECCBC Ghana has been distinguished with the prestigious accolade of CSR Manufacturing Company of the Year at the 10th edition of the Ghana CSR Excellence Awards (GHACEA). This accolade underscores ECCBC’s dedication to sustainable practices and its efforts to effectuate a beneficial influence within the communities it serves.
Word Sustainability Awards 2023
Our leadership in advancing sustainable practices has been globally acknowledged with a distinguished win at the Word Sustainability Awards 2023.
ECCBC’s legacy of innovation and commitment to sustainability continues to shine. Finalists for these awards must have demonstrated vision, resilience, an entrepreneurial spirit, an innovative mindset, and a deep commitment to bringing about positive change:
- Diversity & Inclusion Award Finalist
This category recognizes organizations that have ESG Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships embedded diversity and inclusion into how they run their business. ECCBC was selected for its “We All Have a Special Talent” project. - Profit With Purpose Award
Finalist This category recognizes companies that have put sustainable growth at the heart of how they do business. ECCBC was selected in this category for its ESG Delivery Unit project, which is part of our ESG Impact Strategy 2030.
KO Africa OU Safety Awards
ECCBC is honored to have received multiple prestigious awards under the KO Africa OU Safety Awards, recognizing our continuous commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards across our operations. Our path in safety has been progressively advancing since 2021, demonstrating our dedication to creating a safe working environment.
- 2021 Conakry Plant VP Award
This award acknowledges the exceptional safety performance and practices implemented at our Conakry plant, setting a benchmark for safety excellence in the region. - 2022 Casablanca VP Award
Our Casablanca plant was recognized for its outstanding safety measures and adherence to safety protocols, contributing to a safer working environment for all employees. - 2023 Marrakech President Award
The Marrakech plant achieved the highest accolade, the President Award, for its exemplary safety standards, innovative safety initiatives, and unwavering commitment to protecting the well-being of its workforce. - 2023 Conakry Plant VP Award
For the second time, the Conakry plant was awarded the VP Award, reaffirming its continued dedication to maintaining and enhancing its safety practices
ESG Impact Strategy 2030
At Equatorial Coca-Cola, we have a long history of partnering with our communities to create long-term value for our shared future.
In alignment with our vision to excel as the premier beverage company in each country of operation and the leading Coca-Cola system bottler in Africa, ECCBC reinforced its sustainability strategy at the close of 2020. This strategic enhancement aims to ensure that our business remains responsive to the evolving expectations of both internal and external stakeholders while safeguarding our shared environment. The core objective of this strategy is to generate value for ECCBC by embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into our fundamental business approach. Central to this ethos is our conviction that our prosperity is intricately linked with the well-being of our local communities; hence, their prosperity is pivotal to our own success. Despite its expanding scope, our strategy remains anchored in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 and Coca-Cola’s global targets for the same period. As part of this strategic evolution, ECCBC conducted a Materiality Assessment to underpin our ESG strategy, drawing insights from both internal and external stakeholders. This process has refined our ESG vision, delineated the pillars of our strategy, and provided the framework for our implementation roadmap.
Consequently, our revamped strategy will center around six key pillars where ECCBC holds considerable influence and can deliver substantial value. Each pillar is underpinned by a myriad of commitments, action plans, and initiatives designed to propel us towards achieving our 2030 Sustainability Goals.
