Conrad van Niekerk, formerly head of Coca Cola Beverages in Uganda, has been appointed the Coca-Cola Beverages Africa Managing Director for the Central Africa Region, covering Uganda, Tanzania and Ghana.
He will still sit in Uganda.
In another management change, Melkamu Abebe has been appointed General Manager of Uganda. He will now lead the Ugandan Country Management Team, reporting to Conrad, now the Central Africa Region Managing Director.
Melkamu has been the Supply Chain Director in Uganda since August 2018. Before that, he occupied a number of leadership positions in the supply chain function since joining the Coca-Cola system as a graduate trainee in Ethiopia in 2008.
“He (Melkamu) has developed an in-depth proficiency in supply chain management and demonstrated strong leadership and innovation skills,” said a statement from the company.
He holds a Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Addis Ababa University and “is passionate about developing talent within organisations and learning something new every single day,” according to the company statement.
Conrad, according to the same company was described as “an international commercial leader and strategist with over 30 years’ experience with Coca-Cola, the world’s most recognisable brand.”
“He has held executive roles within the Coca-Cola system with direct experience in people and talent development, sales strategy and execution, and product development,” further read the statement.
Conrad started his career in Coca-Cola SABCO (South Africa) in 1990 and subsequently took up leadership roles working for The Coca-Cola Company in South Africa, Egypt and northern Africa in general, before heading up the Ghana bottler as Managing Director from 2008.
He was eventually appointed Regional Manager for West Africa managing nine countries while based in Barcelona, Spain.
He arrived in Uganda in 2016.
During his time, according to figures available to CEO EA Magazine, he grew the business’ turnover by 12% from UGX383.4 billion to UGX426.7 billion, maintaining Coca Cola’s market leadership against a resurgent competition.
In 2018 Conrad also led a USD15 million (UGX55 billion) investment plan for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in Uganda that included a USD8.35million (UGX 30.7billion) manufacturing line in April 2018.
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He is also credited for leading several product innovations that especially use local law materials, such as Climb Up Milk- bottled by Rwenzori Bottling Company Limited, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa. Climb Up Milk is made out of Uganda milk supplied by Lato Milk, which directly benefits Ugandan dairy farmers; sugar supplied by the Sugar Corporation of Uganda Limited (SCOUL) that supports sugar cane farmers in Lugazi, and packaging elements supplied by Riley Packaging Industries, Bhumi Tapes and Graphic Systems Limited.
Other Coca-Cola Beverages Africa people changes
In another Uganda team change, Edward Ojede, previously the Country Engineering Manager for Uganda, has been appointed the Manufacturing Director for Uganda.
“Edward joined the Coca-Cola system at Century Bottling Company in 2007 and has distinguished himself over the years as an Engineering professional, occupying a number of technical leadership roles and gathering a wealth of experience in his field of expertise. He has in-depth technical knowledge of manufacturing processes and demonstrates superior project management skills. He is known for his agility as a leader and his superior interpersonal skills,” said a company statement.
Edward holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Makerere University and is in the process of completing his MBA. He is a member of the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers and a Board Member of the Manufacturing Skills Sector Committee under the Uganda Ministry of Education and Sports.
Outside Uganda, Herbert Nuwamanya has been moved into the role of General Manager of Zambia, “after playing a crucial role in the integration of the two Coca-Cola Beverages Africa operations in Zambia as Commercial Director for Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia.”
Before that, Herbert held various senior commercial roles in East and West Africa in Coca-Cola Sabco and Coca-Cola Hellenic.
“Over the years Herbert has built up a seasoned multi-cultural, multi-country and multi-bottler experience with great impact in strategic business and commercial growth,” said the company statement.
Herbert holds an MSc degree and will continue to be based in Zambia, leading the Country Management Team.
In another change, Andrew Musingo Otieno has been appointed General Manager of Tanzania, leading the Country Management Team and reporting to the Central Africa Region Managing Director.
Andrew has previously served as Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s Head of Sustainability, before which he was Public Affairs & Communications Director for the Group’s International Division.
