Coca-Cola HBC awarded loan from the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support further investment in Egypt

Coca-Cola HBC is pleased to have been awarded a $130 million loan by the EBRD to finance its CAPEX and working capital requirements. The loan will also further Coca-Cola HBC’s investment in people development and sustainable business practices in Egypt.

Coca-Cola HBC is pleased to announce that it has obtained a loan worth $130 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to finance CAPEX and working capital requirements. The loan will also support Coca-Cola HBC Egypt’s investments in multiple areas, including people development and sustainable business practices.

The loan will be complemented by a grant of $750,000 from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to promote the implementation of advanced wastewater treatment technology and water management systems in Egypt, in line with EU standards.

Ahmed ElAfifi, GM of Coca-Cola HBC Egypt, said, “Cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development enables us to continue to grow and invest in innovation and the latest sustainable technologies. It also enables us to raise the capabilities of our employees and achieve our ambitions of empowering youth and women. We will do all this through programs dedicated to the Egyptian community, water and energy efficiency projects, reliance on renewable energy, investment in energy-saving coolers, and shift to automated systems and digital innovation.

This comes by focusing on common goals with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, represented in developing individuals and developing sustainable business solutions.”

EBRD Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Heike Harmgart said: “We are very pleased to sign this financing package to Coca-Cola HBC and to further support the private sector, a key segment of the Egyptian economy. Thanks to the support of our partners from the Global Environment Facility, the new financing will also help alleviate water pollution through the promotion of advanced wastewater treatment technology as well as foster inclusion by increasing employment opportunities and training for Egyptian youth, benefitting the local economy.”

Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD. Since the start of its operations in the country in 2012, the EBRD has invested almost €11.9 billion in 178 projects in the country. The EBRD’s areas of investment include the financial sector, agribusiness, manufacturing and services, as well as infrastructure projects such as power, municipal water and wastewater services, and contributions to the upgrade of transport services.

In December 2023, Coca-Cola HBC was ranked for the seventh time as the world’s most sustainable beverage company by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, one of the world’s leading global sustainability benchmarks. This recognition is the result of Coca-Cola HBC’s clear vision and commitment when it comes to sustainability, its entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, consistent investment in technology, and a highly skilled and committed team. Read more about Coca-Cola HBC’s sustainability journey.

Notes to editors

Coca-Cola HBC is a growth-focused consumer packaged goods business and strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company. We open up moments that refresh us all, by creating value for our stakeholders and supporting the socio-economic development of the communities in which we operate. With a vision to be the leading 24/7 beverage partner, we offer drinks for all occasions around the clock and work together with our customers to serve 740 million consumers across a broad geographic footprint of 29 countries. Our portfolio is one of the strongest, broadest and most flexible in the beverage industry, with consumer-leading beverage brands in the sparkling, adult sparkling, juice, water, sport, energy, ready-to-drink tea, coffee, and premium spirits categories. These include Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Kinley, Costa Coffee, Caffè Vergnano, Valser, FuzeTea, Powerade, Cappy, Monster Energy, Finlandia Vodka, The Macallan, Jack Daniel’s and Grey Goose. We foster an open and inclusive work environment amongst our 33,000 employees and believe that building a more positive environmental impact is integral to our future growth. We rank among the top sustainability performers in ESG benchmarks such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices, CDP, MSCI ESG, FTSE4Good and ISS ESG.