Kenya’s African Originals Secures $2M to Elevate Craft Beverages and Empower Local Communities

African Originals, the maker of popular craft beverages Kenyan Originals and 5.8, has successfully secured $2 million in funding. This round was spearheaded by Phoenix Beverages Limited and is expected to help the company expand its operations, introduce new products, and enhance its focus on sustainability and community engagement.

This fresh injection of capital represents a key turning point for African Originals, signaling strong investor faith in the brand’s vision of bringing authentic Kenyan flavors to a wider market. With the additional funding, the company intends to ramp up production, diversify its beverage range, and extend its distribution network both locally and globally. By incorporating ingredients such as tropical fruits, tea, coffee, honey, botanicals, and indigenous berries, all sourced from local farmers. African Originals highlights the unique richness of Kenya’s natural offerings. The brand is committed to supporting small-scale farmers and adopting sustainable practices throughout its supply chain. The new funding will further fuel these efforts, allowing the company to maintain high standards of quality while meeting the rising demand.

This investment marks a significant milestone for African Originals as it continues to elevate Kenyan craftsmanship, empower rural communities, and push boundaries in the local craft beverage industry. Beyond expanding its market reach, African Originals is also deepening its partnerships with organizations like Bees with Stories, which advocates for small-scale farmers and beekeepers. The company plans to intensify its environmental efforts by reducing its carbon footprint and contributing to biodiversity conservation projects.

Led by CEO Alex Chappatte, a pioneering figure in Kenya’s business scene, African Originals aims to inspire other women entrepreneurs especially those in unconventional industries. This achievement demonstrates the potential for women-led enterprises to attract major investments and grow at scale, serving as an encouraging example for the next generation of female leaders.