NAIROBI, KENYA – Craft beverage producer African Originals has secured a Sh129.6 million ($1 million) capital injection from Mauritian strategic investor Phoenix Beverages Ltd (PBL) to scale its local manufacturing and accelerate regional expansion, the company confirmed on Wednesday, 26 November 2025.

The funding marks a significant vote of confidence in Kenya’s burgeoning craft beverage scene and aligns with the government's long-term goals of strengthening the local manufacturing sector. For African Originals, the capital will be channeled into upgrading production facilities at its Nairobi plant, expanding distribution networks across East Africa, and fast-tracking product innovation.

“This additional funding from PBL is a strong vote of confidence in what we're building: a portfolio of authentic, African-made beverages,” said Alexandra Chappatte, CEO and founder of African Originals. “It gives us the resources to expand into the next phase: scaling from Kenya's leading craft beverage company into East Africa's first multi-category beverage platform.”

An Intra-African Partnership

The investment deepens a partnership that began in 2023 when Phoenix Beverages, Mauritius' largest beverage company, acquired a minority stake in African Originals. This follow-on funding underscores the Mauritian firm’s commitment to tapping into East Africa's rapidly growing consumer goods market. Mauritius has been a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI) for Kenya, ranking among the top investing countries on the continent.

This move is indicative of a broader trend of increasing intra-African investment, a cornerstone of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) which aims to boost trade and economic integration among member states. The partnership provides African Originals not only with capital but also with technical expertise in scaling manufacturing operations from an established regional player.

Boosting Local Sourcing and Manufacturing

Founded by Chappatte in 2018, African Originals has carved out a niche by producing a diverse portfolio of beverages using locally sourced Kenyan ingredients. The company’s brands—including Kenyan Originals (KO), African Originals, and 5.8—feature products like craft ciders, gins, iced teas, and mixers.

A core tenet of the company's mission is its direct support for local agriculture. It sources a wide array of ingredients from farmers across the country, including mangoes from Makueni, passion fruits from Eldoret, pineapples from Kiambu, and botanicals from the Maasai Mara. This investment is expected to strengthen these supply chains, providing a stable market for more small-scale farmers and promoting value addition within Kenya, a key objective of the government's 'Buy Kenya, Build Kenya' initiative.

The focus on local production comes as Kenya’s manufacturing sector targets an increased contribution to the national GDP, from 7.6% to 15% by 2027 under President William Ruto's administration. While the sector faces challenges like high operational costs and regulatory unpredictability, strategic investments like this are seen as critical drivers of growth and job creation.

Tapping into a Growing Market

African Originals has demonstrated impressive growth, reporting over 50% year-on-year revenue increases by tapping into a shift among younger, middle-class consumers. These consumers are increasingly opting for premium, locally-made products that offer an alternative to mass-market brands and expensive imports.

The company's success reflects a growing appetite for craft beverages across the region. Having already expanded into Uganda, African Originals is targeting further growth in East Africa, aiming to leverage its unique, locally-inspired flavour profiles to capture a larger market share. The company aims to increase its distribution from 5,000 to 20,000 outlets in Kenya over the next three years.

“We're showing that with patient capital, a focus on local ingredients, and uncompromising quality, homegrown brands can compete with global players,” Chappatte stated, highlighting the company's ambition to set a new standard for Kenyan-made products on the international stage.