African Originals secures US$1M from Phoenix Beverages to expand operations 

KENYA – African Originals Ltd has received a major capital boost after securing Kes 129.6 million (US$1 million) from Phoenix Beverages Ltd, a Mauritian beverage company, to expand local manufacturing capacity in Kenya.  

The investment marks the second time Phoenix Beverages has funded the female-led producer, following an earlier capital injection made two years ago. 

According to African Originals Ltd, the new funds will intensify the use of domestically sourced ingredients and scale distribution, aligning with rising demand for premium beverages made on the continent.  

The manufacturer has been positioned as a visible example of how craft beverage producers can secure mainstream retail traction when supported by patient strategic capital and supply-chain discipline. 

“We have just secured some additional money from our strategic investors, someone who understands our category since they are also a large beverage company in Mauritius,” said Alexandra Chappatte, founder and CEO of African Originals.  

She noted that capital-seeking businesses benefit from aligning with investors who demonstrate category knowledge and product affinity. Chappatte also said that the right investors can unlock further support beyond funding, including technical know-how and export market access. 

Chappatte confirmed that the fresh capital will be used to solidify the company’s lines of ciders, spirits, and ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, enabling broader availability across major retail outlets.  

The funding will also support improvements in production infrastructure, enlargement of sales networks, and faster product innovation cycles. 

“This additional funding from Phoenix Beverages is a strong vote of confidence… It gives us the resources to expand into the next phase,” she said, referencing the company’s transition from a Kenya-focused craft beverage maker into a wider East Africa-centric beverage platform. 

The strengthened partnership dates back to 2023, when Phoenix Beverages took a minority stake in the business. Earlier this year, Phoenix Beverages increased its equity position in African Originals from 28.2% to 34.4% to support the Kenyan firm’s working capital and strategic ambitions. 

African Originals has also reported revenue expansion of more than 50% year-on-year, benefitting from a shift among younger consumers who are increasingly selecting locally manufactured drinks that bridge the value gap between low-cost domestic brands and more expensive imports. 

Recently, the company expanded its Kenya-market portfolio with the introduction of three new products under its Kenyan Originals range: KO Mukhombero gin cocktail, Lemon Cello, and Mocha Toffy. 

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