Pepsi strengthens Kenyan market push through Skyward Express partnership
Pepsi teams up with Skyward Express to offer complimentary beverages on flights as it accelerates expansion in Kenya’s soft drinks sector.
KENYA – Pepsi has announced a new partnership with regional airline Skyward Express as part of its strategy to expand its footprint in Kenya’s soft drinks market, intensifying competition with Coca-Cola.
Speaking in Nairobi during the launch, John Otieno, country general manager for SBC Kenya, the PepsiCo franchise bottler, said the agreement reflects Pepsi’s ambition to strengthen its presence in Kenya and across Africa.
“Pepsi globally is focused on winning in Africa, and East Africa is at the heart of that plan. Uganda is already a Pepsi stronghold, and Tanzania has positioned us among the top players. It is only natural that Kenya becomes our next big growth market,” Otieno said.
Kenya’s soft drinks industry has long been dominated by Coca-Cola, which maintains a strong distribution network and brand loyalty. However, Pepsi has been steadily increasing its market share through competitive pricing, product diversification, and partnerships with local businesses.
Under the deal with Skyward Express, Pepsi beverages will now be served complimentary on all of the airline’s flights across 11 domestic destinations.
Diana Nyambura, general manager of Skyward Express, said the collaboration is aimed at elevating passenger experience while aligning with a fast-growing beverage brand.
“We are one of the few airlines in Kenya that offer complimentary beverages. Partnering with Pepsi allows us to enhance our passengers’ choices and also tap into a brand that is resonating with the Kenyan market,” Nyambura said.
Industry analysts note that Pepsi’s strategy in Kenya now focuses on embedding its products into everyday consumer experiences—across households, offices, eateries, and travel—rather than simply competing with Coca-Cola.
Otieno emphasized Pepsi’s broader ambition: “We want Kenyans to find Pepsi wherever they are, whether at home, at work, or while traveling.”
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