The global representative body for the non-alcoholic beverage industry, the International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA) has announced the establishment of ICBA Africa. It also announced the appointment of Iddah Asin as ICBA Africa executive director.

ICBA Africa joined ICBA Asia-Pacific and ICBA Latin America in the global ICBA network. ICBA Africa was headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

“The launch of ICBA Africa marks a significant milestone in the sector, bringing leading beverage companies together to act with vision under Ms Asin’s leadership,” highlighted ICBA president Andrés Massieu. “Benefitting from Ms Asin’s deep expertise in public-private collaboration, health, and sustainability, we are confident that ICBA Africa will be a valuable resource to governments and stakeholders throughout the region and globally.”

Asin is an advocate of the Kenyan High Court and was last year voted as one of Kenya’s Top 50 Women Lawyers by the Nairobi Legal Awards. Her expertise is in health care and sustainability, and she has previously been Johnson & Johnson’s head of government affairs and policy for sub-Saharan Africa, and government and industry affairs manager for Kenya Airways. In 2017, the Nation Media Group had identified her as one of Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Women.

“I’m truly honoured to become the first executive director of ICBA Africa and to help the sector contribute to positive outcomes on the continent and around the world, building from Africa’s unique priorities and maximising our collective potential,” affirmed Asin. She will be working with the entire ICBA global network and global head office. 

“I am thrilled to welcome Ms Asin to this important role and could not be more excited to work together to continue growing ICBA’s impact as a powerful platform for engagement, partnerships and progress,” asserted ICBA executive director Kate Loatman. Among the other executives Asin would be working with would be ICBA VP, and Beverage Association of South Africa CEO, Mpho Thothela. 

ICBA was founded in 1995. It serves to reinforce collaboration within the sector, create and maintain partnerships with governments, civil society and other important stakeholders, share best practices, and support evidence-based policymaking to reach common goals, including public health and environmental sustainability.