Luanda, 12 December – The Coca-Cola System in Angola and Refriango, in collaboration with the Piaget Institute of Angola Association (AIPA), have launched the OMAZA project. This initiative aims to improve access to water and enhance sanitation security in the Calumbo market in Viana and the Mazozo and Cabala communities in the Icolo e Bengo municipality, Luanda, over a twelve-month period, starting in December 2023.
This project highlights Coca-Cola’s commitment to its 2030 Water Security Strategy, demonstrating a context-driven approach to improving water security by replenishing water, advocating for smart water policies, and ensuring responsible water use.
The $100,000 (83 million kwanzas) project, funded by the Coca-Cola System in Angola, is expected to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable communities with over 26 million liters of water annually and enhance their ability to manage water resources. The project is estimated to directly benefit over 1,500 families, 60% of which are young women or adolescents, marking a historic impact.
Aligned with its mission, Coca-Cola Angola and Refriango aim to continuously replenish communities with water. The initiative also intends to return the water used in beverage production to the environment through high-quality treated wastewater, in compliance with local regulations, contributing to the sustainability of aquatic life.
Tânia Jardim, Marketing Manager at Refriango, the company that produces and distributes Coca-Cola brands in Angola, contextualized the significance of the OMAZA project: "According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, in 2020, between 75 million and 250 million people in Africa faced water scarcity. The lack of clean water supply infrastructure, rapid population growth, and extended drought periods cause severe water stress, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Unfortunately, Angola is closely familiar with this scenario. The OMAZA project arises in this context, intervening in communities where access to clean water must be facilitated and providing effective water resource management methods. These actions have a domino effect in various areas: improving public health, increasing nutrition levels, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and reducing regional inequalities regarding basic services and living conditions."
As part of the OMAZA project, selected communities will see significant benefits, including access to 3 manual water pumps. Additionally, a technical team will train community members on the SODIS water disinfection method, which uses sunlight to make water potable. This initiative will provide safer water access and increase health awareness, improving both the lives of the people and the local environment.
Dr. Ana Perez, OMAZA Project General Coordinator, emphasized the project’s importance: "Amid climate change, countries like Angola face multiple climate threats, with water security for communities and the environment at their core. Promoting water and sanitation security is vital for creating a more sustainable Angola that embraces conservation and resilience as integral elements."
Regarding this key partnership, Paula Lima Matoso, Marketing Director at Coca-Cola Angola, said: "AIPA is a key partner in our mission to build sustainable communities through access to drinking water and sanitation. Their efforts to develop local capacity align perfectly with Coca-Cola’s community water partnership strategies. Together with Refriango and AIPA, we are excited to kick off this impactful initiative in Angola."
The manager also added that the efforts of the Coca-Cola System in Angola go beyond this project: "Since 2010, we have executed the RAIN clean water access project in the Funda and Bom Jesus communes. On World Water Day, March 22 of this year, together with our partners, we also delivered a water pump to the municipality of Bocoio in Benguela Province. This initiative directly benefits 3,000 residents of the Embandi community, located 40 km from the municipal seat
