Coca-Cola is reportedly gearing up for a potential initial public offering (IPO) of its African bottling business, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA), possibly as soon as next year. Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the company aims for a valuation exceeding $8 billion for the business, although discussions are still in the early stages and offering details could evolve.

Last year, Coca-Cola expressed its commitment to listing CCBA as a public company once market conditions improved. Initially planned for a primary listing in Amsterdam and a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), the IPO was anticipated within 18 months.

However, plans for the estimated $3 billion IPO were postponed in 2022 due to market turbulence stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which dampened investor confidence and led to a downturn in global IPO activity.

If the IPO proceeds as planned, it would represent a significant milestone for the JSE, potentially becoming its largest listing since 2016. The flotation of CCBA could inject renewed vigor into the index, offering investors an opportunity to participate in one of Coca-Cola's key regional operations.

Given the scale and prominence of Coca-Cola's African bottling business, an IPO could attract substantial investor interest, providing an avenue for stakeholders to capitalize on the region's growth potential in the beverage industry.