Kenyan and the greater African beverage manufacturers are struggling to expand into international markets as counterfeiting, weak supply chains and rising production costs erode competitiveness, industry leaders have warned.
Speaking during the launch of the New Pour Summit 2026, beverage executives, investors and brand strategists said while Africa’s beverage industry is attracting growing investor interest, structural weaknesses continue to limit the ability of local brands to compete globally.
The sector is benefiting from rising urbanisation, a youthful population and growing consumer spending. According to Mordor Intelligence, Africa’s food and beverage market is projected to grow at an annual rate of between 7 and 8 percent through 2030, while the African Development Bank estimates consumer spending on the continent will exceed US$2.5 trillion by the end of the decade.
However, industry stakeholders said Kenyan and African beverage companies risk missing out on this opportunity unless governments and businesses tackle counterfeit products, fragmented supply chains and weak brand development.
Drinkabl Africa founder Tosin Balogun said the continent’s beverage sector has reached a critical stage where growth must be matched with resilience.
“The growth in Africa’s beverage industry is not something you can ignore. From capital flows to innovation, the opportunity is enormous,” he said.
He noted that Ethiopia’s coffee exports have surpassed US$3 billion, Kenya continues to post strong tea export earnings, while brewing companies across West Africa have returned to profitability after weathering macroeconomic shocks.
Despite the positive outlook, Balogun said counterfeit products, supply chain disruptions, inflation and currency volatility continue to weigh on manufacturers.
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“Underneath these growth numbers are immense challenges from counterfeiting to economic shocks and supply chain disruptions. We need to discuss how beverage brands can become resilient regardless of these hurdles,” he said.
The concerns come as manufacturers across the continent grapple with higher import costs for packaging materials, machinery and other production inputs due to weakening local currencies and global supply chain disruptions.
Brand Finance East Africa Chairman Walter Serem said many African beverage firms also underestimate the commercial value of branding, limiting their ability to compete against global players.
“Brand is your single most valuable asset. Innovation must go beyond production to include packaging, communication and positioning,” he said.
Serem urged companies to commercialise traditional beverages made from millet, sorghum, honey and indigenous fruits instead of relying on imported concepts, arguing that Africa’s unique heritage could provide a competitive edge in export markets.
Consumer intelligence firm Actnable said changing consumer preferences are also reshaping the market, with younger Africans increasingly demanding healthier beverages, locally sourced ingredients and authentic African brands.
Industry leaders said addressing counterfeiting, strengthening supply chains and investing in stronger brands will be critical if Kenyan beverage manufacturers are to capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding global consumer market.
