Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) is strengthening its investment in Africa’s leadership potential through the successful graduation of 31 senior leaders from its EDGE Senior Leadership Acceleration Programme. The graduates, representing 12 African countries, have completed the programme’s second generation and its first pan-African cohort, marking an important milestone in the company’s efforts to develop leadership capacity across its operations.
Created by CCBA as its flagship senior leadership development initiative, EDGE is designed to equip high-potential professionals with the strategic capabilities, practical experience and broader perspectives required to navigate complex business environments, create value and contribute to sustainable growth.
The programme was developed in partnership with Henley Business School Africa and expanded in 2026 to bring together leaders from across a wider network of the Coca-Cola system. In addition to participants from CCBA and The Coca-Cola Company, the latest cohort included leaders from Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company. This expansion created a broader pan-African learning environment, allowing executives from different markets and business functions to exchange knowledge and strengthen professional relationships.
The programme combined classroom-based learning with practical business projects, mentoring and coaching. Participants were encouraged to apply their learning to real organisational opportunities and challenges, developing the skills needed to lead teams, make informed commercial decisions and contribute to business transformation.
Its curriculum covered key areas including strategy, value creation, transformation, commercial decision-making, leading self and leading teams. As part of the graduation requirements, participants also presented business projects aligned with organisational priorities, connecting leadership development directly to the company’s operational and strategic objectives.
For CCBA, the investment in leadership development reflects the importance of building a strong management pipeline capable of responding to the diversity and complexity of African markets. Serving more than 840,000 customers across the continent, the company operates in an environment that demands adaptable leaders, effective collaboration and a clear understanding of local business conditions.
“People are at the heart of everything we do, and programmes like EDGE demonstrate our commitment to investing in their growth and future success,” said Natasa Prodanovic, Chief People and Culture Officer at CCBA.
She described the 2026 cohort as an important milestone for the programme, highlighting the value of bringing together leaders from across the Coca-Cola system. Learning alongside colleagues from The Coca-Cola Company, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company enabled participants to build meaningful connections, exchange diverse perspectives and strengthen collaboration across markets.
The pan-African approach also reflects the growing importance of cross-market cooperation in developing business leadership. By creating opportunities for professionals from different operating environments to learn together, EDGE seeks to build a shared understanding of business priorities while strengthening the capabilities required to deliver results across the continent.
The programme forms part of CCBA’s wider commitment to developing future leaders and investing in the people who will shape the company’s next phase of growth. As African markets continue to evolve, initiatives that combine leadership education with practical business experience can play an important role in building institutional capacity, supporting innovation and creating long-term value.
Through EDGE, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa is positioning leadership development as a strategic investment in both its workforce and the broader performance of its African operations.
