Supporting retailers with tools of Trade-Coca-Cola beverages Africa amplifies 5 by 20 in Uganda

Kampala; Yesterday, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda has handed over coolers to women to enable them start businesses in the retail category. This year alone (Jan- March), 176 coolers have been issued, making it a total of 38,000 given out to date. This is part of a bigger Coca-Cola initiative called 5 by 20.

5 by 20 is the Coca-Cola Company`s global commitment to enable the economic empowerment of 5 Million Women entrepreneurs across the Company`s value chain by the year 2020. “Women around the World are already pillars of our business system and are part of our Women Economic Empowerment Program. This time round, we are focusing on the retail stream of our business. The System’s outlet universe is composed of small general stores, or dukas, small and large grocery stores, local kiosks and larger more formal outlets such as hotels, restaurants and bars. These are approximately 111,000 retail outlets, including retailers that sell Rwenzori Mineral Water products. Dukas are the most common outlets selling the System’s beverages, making up 50% of all outlets in Uganda. Our products are in each of these outlets either in our coolers or dealer owned coolers.

In Uganda, running successful businesses is mainly a male domain. Through 5 by 20, we address the most common barriers women face when doing business which include;

     Lack of basic business skills

    Lack of financial services / assets

    Lack of access to peer to peer networks and mentorship

Through this initiative, we offer women access to business skills training, linkages to financial services and connections with peers and mentors, along with the confidence that comes along with building a successful business.

Today, we are honored to have Dr. Margaret Ssekide, a renowned successful and inspirational business woman with a spiritual touch grace this occasion- (Seroma Christian High School, Seroma Hardware, etc) she will share with these ladies her story as well as encourage them to work hard.