International Council of Beverages Associations names Iddah Asin executive director as it establishes Africa office

August 14, 2025 in Business, Companies, Foreign News by Editor

 The International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA), the global voice of the non-alcoholic beverage industry, has launched ICBA Africa, marking a significant expansion of its global advocacy network into one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.

The new regional office, to be based in Nairobi, Kenya, will be led by Iddah Asin, a seasoned policy, legal and sustainability expert with decades of experience in public-private engagement. ICBA says the move reflects the continent’s rising market potential and the sector’s commitment to collaborative approaches with governments, civil society, and industry stakeholders to address health, environmental and regulatory issues.

Founded in 1995, ICBA represents the interests of the global non-alcoholic beverage industry. Its members include national and regional beverage associations and multinational companies operating in over 200 countries and territories. The sector’s portfolio includes soft drinks, sports and energy drinks, bottled and flavored waters, ready-to-drink teas and coffees, juices, and dairy-based beverages. ICBA Africa will complement the work of its counterparts in Latin America and Asia Pacific, enabling the organisation to share best practices, support evidence-based policymaking, and promote coherent regional responses to challenges such as public health and environmental sustainability.

ICBA President Andrés Massieu described the African launch as “a significant milestone for the sector,” adding that Ms. Asin’s leadership would strengthen engagement across the continent.

“Benefitting from Ms. Asin’s deep expertise in public-private collaboration, health, and sustainability, we are confident that ICBA Africa will be a valuable resource to governments and stakeholders throughout the region and globally,” he said.

ICBA Executive Director Kate Loatman welcomed Ms. Asin’s appointment, noting that her track record would help the new Africa office become “a powerful platform for engagement, partnerships and progress.”

Before joining ICBA Africa, Ms. Asin served as Head of Government Affairs and Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa at Johnson & Johnson and previously managed Government and Industry Affairs for Kenya Airways. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with law and public policy training from Makerere University, the Kenya School of Law, and Strathmore Business School.

Ms. Asin, who was named among the Top 50 Women Lawyers by the Nairobi Legal Awards in 2024 and listed among Kenya’s Top 40 under 40 Women in 2017, said she was “honored” to lead the organisation’s Africa arm.

“This is an opportunity to help the sector contribute to positive outcomes on the continent and around the world, building from Africa’s unique priorities and maximizing our collective potential,” she said.