EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS

Melkamu Abebe appointed Managing Director of Coca-Cola in Ethiopia

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Abebe becomes the first Ethiopian to take up the MD position. He moves from the Coca-Cola operation in Uganda, where he was GM.

Coca-Cola Beverages Africa has appointed Melkamu Abebe as its new Managing Director in Ethiopia. He becomes the first Ethiopian to take up this position, which follows a highly successful term as General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda.

Abebe brings more than 16 years of experience in the Coca-Cola system to the role, having started his career in the company’s Graduates in Training Programme in 2008.

Melkamu Abebe. Photo: Coca-Cola Beverages Africa

“He then excelled in roles spanning supply chain and general management, while demonstrating exceptional leadership, strategic thinking and a commitment to operational excellence,” Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) says in a statement.

As the GM of Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, Abebe oversaw the successful integration of separate bottling entities, and has a proven track record of delivering growth, optimising logistics and driving customer satisfaction.

Ethiopian market considered to have significant potential

He returns to his native country to direct the continued growth of CCBA in Ethiopia, in a market considered to have significant potential for the company. 

Abebe holds a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Addis Ababa University and has completed leadership programmes at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the US and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa.

“We have a people-first culture that ensures unparalleled professional development for our valued employees,” says the Chief Operating Officer at CCBA, Gavin Hudson. “Our aim is to nurture potential, attract and retain high-performing talent, and invest in growth.”

Before becoming General Manager of Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda, a position he took up in 2020, Abebe was Supply Chain Director for the Ugandan operation. Prior to that, he was Logistics Director at Coca-Cola Beverages Ethiopia.

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