Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) Namibia has appointed Henry Friedrich as its new General Manager.
Friedrich joins the company after serving in several senior leadership positions at Heineken Brazil, where he led commercial and business development initiatives.
His appointment marks a return to the Coca-Cola system, having started his career at Coca-Cola Guararapes, one of the beverage giant’s bottling operations in Brazil.
CCBA said Friedrich brings 18 years of experience across the fast-moving consumer goods sector, with expertise in leading large teams and driving commercial performance.
His professional background also includes international exposure gained through working, studying and living in the United States and Canada.
Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, Sunil Gupta, welcomed the appointment, saying Friedrich’s experience would support the company’s growth ambitions in Namibia.
“We are pleased to welcome Henry to the CCBA family. His extensive background is a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our business,” Gupta said.
He said the company remained focused on attracting, developing and retaining high-performing talent to support its long-term growth strategy.
“At CCBA, we invest in our people to foster an inclusive and thriving workplace that accelerates our growth. We attract, develop and retain high-performing talent, empowering individuals to reach their full potential,” he said.
Gupta added that Friedrich’s leadership experience and commercial expertise would help strengthen the company’s operations in Namibia.
“I am confident that Henry’s capability, energy and values-led leadership will position him well to lead the Namibia business and continue creating value for our customers, consumers, our people and the communities we serve,” he said.
CCBA is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in Africa and the eighth-largest authorised Coca-Cola bottler globally by revenue. The company accounts for more than 40% of Coca-Cola ready-to-drink beverage sales on the continent by volume.
The group employs more than 13,000 people across Africa and serves over 840,000 customers through a portfolio of international and local beverage brands.
CCBA operates in 14 African markets, including Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Comoros and Mayotte.
