The International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA) has held its first global conference in Africa, bringing more than 100 executives from beverage associations and member companies to Nairobi, Kenya, as the industry seeks closer collaboration on issues shaping the future of the non-alcoholic beverage sector.
The gathering also marked the formal launch of the ICBA Africa Regional Group, a move that gives African beverage associations a more structured platform within the organisation’s global network.
According to ICBA, the conference brought together industry leaders from around the world to discuss shared priorities ranging from sustainability and regulatory engagement to industry collaboration and long-term growth. The decision to host the meeting in Nairobi reflects Africa’s increasing importance in the global beverage industry, where population growth, rapid urbanisation and expanding consumer markets continue to attract investment from multinational manufacturers.
ICBA Executive Director Kate Loatman described the meeting as an opportunity to strengthen relationships while learning directly from African industry leaders.
“I learned more than I shared, and for me, there is no better metric of success,” Loatman said in a LinkedIn post following the conference.
She added that the event celebrated the launch of the ICBA Africa Regional Group and highlighted the value of collaboration, shared ambition and local insight in addressing industry priorities.
The conference was led alongside ICBA Africa Executive Director Iddah Asin and ICBA Vice President Mpho Thothela of The Beverage Association of South Africa. Loatman also acknowledged the work of the ICBA team in organising the event and thanked delegates for their commitment to collective engagement on industry issues.
For Africa’s beverage industry, the significance extends beyond the venue. The establishment of a regional group creates a more formal mechanism for African trade associations to contribute to global discussions on public policy, sustainability, packaging, nutrition, recycling and responsible industry practices. It also provides a coordinated platform for sharing regional perspectives as governments across Africa continue to review regulations affecting the production, distribution and marketing of non-alcoholic beverages.
The timing is notable. Beverage manufacturers operating across Africa are navigating a more complex operating environment marked by changing consumer preferences, evolving packaging regulations, rising production costs and increasing policy attention on health and environmental issues. Industry associations are expected to play a larger role in representing manufacturers while engaging governments on evidence-based policy development.
Hosting the conference in Nairobi also reflects Kenya’s growing profile as a regional hub for multinational beverage companies, industry associations and development organisations serving East Africa. The city’s role as a gateway to the region has increasingly made it a preferred location for international industry meetings.
While ICBA has traditionally convened its members in North America and Europe, the decision to stage its first African global conference on the continent signals a broader recognition that Africa is becoming a more influential voice in the future direction of the global non-alcoholic beverage industry.
As the newly launched ICBA Africa Regional Group begins its work, attention will shift to how effectively it translates regional priorities into coordinated advocacy on trade, sustainability and regulatory issues that increasingly shape the operating environment for beverage companies across the continent.
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