Global thinking

Fighting poverty in Africa

Enjoying a chilled bottle of Coca-Cola used to nearly impossible in Ethiopia.  Delivery trucks couldn't reach the tiny local shops and they don't have space to stock large amounts of Coca-Cola drinks.

In 1999, our Ethiopian bottler came up with a solution: micro distribution centres (MDCs). These are closer to their customers and cater for smaller orders, an approach that's increased sales revenues and provides a valuable boost to the economy.

MDC's are generally owned by local entrepreneurs, which means local communities play a part in our business and share in our success. Currently around 3% of MDCs are owned and managed by women. Since their introduction, MDCs have been a huge success.

- there are over 3,000 MDCs in East Africa employing around 13,500 people
- MDC owners and employees support an estimated 48,0000 dependents
- African MDCs generate over $500 million in annual revenue
- Over 80% of The Coca-Cola Company's business in key East African countries goes through the MDC network.

We also have programmes in other parts of the world to help support wealth and job creation, including:

• Helping more than 4,000 small retailers to establish their businesses through Pushcarts programs in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia and Nepal
• Micro Enterprise Development to benefit 500 low-income families - including mentoring of entrepreneurs by business leaders, access to low-interest loans and repayment formula that builds sustainable lending for the community.
• Various emerging programmes in China and the Philippines

Further information

If you're interested in our activities around the world, you can read our Sustainability Report or find out more at The Coca-Cola Company global website - www.thecoca-colacompany.com/citizenship

To learn more about Coca-Cola Enterprises' approach to corporate responsibility you could read the Coca-Cola Enterprises Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report  www.ccesustainabilityplan.com