This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
On July 7, 2020, Coca-Cola Beverages Africa-Kenya (CCBA) announced a partnership with Safaricom to connect its coolers with sensors that collect vital data to enhance its offering to retailers and outlets of its beverage products in the country.
The connected coolers are equipped with sensors that leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) technology to collect and exchange data. This enables CCBA to monitor the temperature and how often the fridge doors are opened, providing real-time data.
According to Josphat Mwangi, Sales and Marketing Director at CCBA-Kenya, the partnership aims to make the company more agile and responsive to its retail partners' needs. 'As a business, it is imperative that we become more agile and responsive to our retail partners' needs. These devices ensure that consumers are able to enjoy products at perfect serve while our partners avoid extra running costs as a result of poor or non-performing assets,' he explained.
The partnership has already started a proof of value with a pilot of 100 coolers in Nairobi for the next one month, with more to be connected as the initiative expands across the country. The coolers are provided free of charge to retailers and outlets countrywide.
Rita Okuthe, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Safaricom PLC, commented on the launch, saying, 'We developed an IoT solution that consists of sensors installed in the coolers that will transmit data and insights that Coca-Cola will use to optimize their operation.'
