In a collaborative effort with the Hawassa city administration, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) has inaugurated 20 kiosks aimed at creating job opportunities for 100 local youth and women entrepreneurs. This initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed on April 5, 2024, and is part of a broader commitment to support economic empowerment in the region.

The kiosks, designed to enable beneficiaries to sell various goods and hot meals, were officially handed over during a ceremony held at the Walde-Amanuel Square in Hawassa. The event was attended by representatives from the city administration, including the Deputy Mayor, Mr. Biruk Solomon, as well as high-ranking government officials, project beneficiaries, and senior executives from CCBA in Ethiopia.

Each of the 100 beneficiaries will collectively manage the kiosks, organized into groups of five. CCBA has supported these entrepreneurs with an initial stock of 10 Coca-Cola products and a financial grant of 10,000 birr to help kickstart their business ventures.