Kenya’s African Originals Sets Global Sustainability Benchmark with B Corp Certification

In a market dominated by legacy alcohol giants and challenged by rampant illicit trade, one Kenyan beverage company is rewriting the playbook—African Originals has officially become Africa’s first gin and cider producer to earn B Corp certification.

This isn’t just a badge. It’s a clear signal that Africa’s beverage future can be both profitable and principled.

Redefining Value in an Unstable Industry

The alcoholic drinks market in Kenya, now worth over KSh150 billion, is booming. Urban centres like Nairobi and Mombasa are experiencing a surge in premium consumption, driven by rising disposable income, a youthful population, and evolving lifestyle preferences.

But this growth tells only half the story.

Illicit alcohol still accounts for nearly 60% of the market, robbing the government of over KSh70 billion annually and contributing to one of the country’s most urgent public health crises. According to WHO, over 14,000 Kenyans die annually from alcohol-related complications. NACADA reports alcohol use begins as early as age 7 in some areas.

In this context, African Originals’ B Corp certification is more than a PR win—it’s a direct challenge to industry norms.

“We didn’t set out just to build a beverage brand. We set out to redefine what responsibility looks like in African manufacturing,” said Alex Chappatte, Founder and CEO.

African Originals’ Business Model

To qualify for the B Corp label—an elite global standard held by companies like Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s—African Originals had to prove that purpose is embedded in every layer of its operations. That includes:

• Eliminating single-use plastics by 2026
  
• Cutting paper consumption by 2027
  
• Sourcing raw materials locally and increasing this by 1.5x every year
  
• Investing annually in youth and women-led enterprises, such as through the She Originals programme
  

This isn’t CSR. It’s core business strategy. The company is building a closed-loop, community-powered production cycle in a region still grappling with extractive corporate behavior.

“What African Originals shows is that you can scale, sell, and sustain—without compromising your values,” said Lucy Muigai, CEO of B Lab Africa.

The Growth Signal

While many African startups are battling scaling challenges, African Originals has gained real traction:

• Sold 80 million beverages in Q4 2024
  
• Secured $2 million in international funding
  
• Expanded into Uganda and the UK markets
  

It’s proof that investors are watching, and that consumer preferences are shifting—especially among millennial and Gen Z Africans demanding ethical, authentic brands.

Why This Moment Matters for Africa

The B Corp certification is a win for African Originals—but its symbolism stretches far beyond one company.

It represents a maturing African private sector: one that isn’t waiting for global approval, but setting its own benchmarks.

It signals a new era in manufacturing—one where sustainability isn’t a Western export, but an African advantage. And it shows that even in markets plagued by informality, it’s possible to build a brand with integrity, scale, and relevance.

If Africa is to leapfrog in the global economy, stories like African Originals are the blueprint: rooted in the continent, responsible in execution, and global in vision.