The bottled water market in Ethiopia was equal to 286.

00 million USD (calculated in

retail prices) in 2015. Until 2025, the water market in Ethiopia is forecast to reach 1.59
billion USD (in retail prices), thus increasing at a CAGR of 16.40% per annum for the
period 2020-2025. This is a decrease, compared to the growth of about 24.81% per
year, registered in 2015-2019.

The average consumption per capita in value terms reached 2.94 USD per capita (in
retail prices) in 2015. In the next five years, it grew at a CAGR of 21.75% per annum. In
the medium term (by 2025), the indicator is forecast to slow down its growth and
increase at a CAGR of 11.49% per annum

Many factors, such as the growing number of conferences and summits in Addis Ababa,
the increased tourist traffic, and the expansion of the hospitality sector have contributed
to this growth. This can be easily seen in the growth of the number of soft drinks and
bottled water producing factories from 13 in 2006/7 to 53 in 2010/11. Furthermore,
according to sources at the Ministry of Industry, several other companies are in the pipe
line to join the industry.
It is clear that even foreign actors are perceptive of this growth and the potential this
sector has in Ethiopia. Take Maticline Machinery Co. Ltd as an example, the Chinese
company, which specializes in machinery installation in bottled water producing plants,
opened an office in Ethiopia in 2009. Peter Peng, the general manager of Maticline
Machinery Co., Ltd, told EBR that the company gives technical support, machine
installation and re-installation, and consultation services for many bottled water
producing companies.
A bottled water producing plant can be established with a total capital of USD800,000 –
1.6 million depending on the size and capacity of production. For example, a project that
produces 600,000 bottles per hour with 600ml bottle would cost around USD800,000.
According to a business consultant , the running as well as manufacturing costs of
producing bottled water is relatively cheaper than other industrial products. A unit cost
of bottled water of 600 ml can be less than two birr while it can be sold at up to five birr.
“There is a huge demand for bottled water which producers could not satisfy,” says a
marketing manager at Aquaddis spring water, produced by Asku PLC. “For a country of
90 million, only one million bottles of water are supplied per day” he told EBR. He adds
that even in the rainy season, when the drinks market is expected to slow down, the
market for bottled water continues “unbelievably high”. The company has increased the
production capacity of Aquaddis by around 100Pct to 240,000 bottles per day since it
purchased the company from its Indian owners three years ago.
One distinct feature of bottled water products is that production and marketing is not
confined to Addis Ababa, as is quite common with other products. Several companies
produce and market their products in other regions as well.
In Tigray for example, according to the region’s Investment Bureau, there are about ten
bottled water companies that are established with an estimated ETB50-70 million
capital. .
Many new companies are also eyeing the sector. “There is a huge gap between
demand and supply of bottled water” says Adebabay Biru, an industrialist who recently
established Guna Springs at the Guna Mountain, near Debre Tabor, South Gondar
Zone of the Amhara Regional State. This was done with a total capital of ETB30 million.
After satisfying the local demand, Adebabay plans to export his product to the Sudan,
only 400 KM away from the factory.
Aquaddis also has a similar plan for the near future; to export bottled water to earn
foreign currency. “The water quality has been approved by several institutions, here and
abroad” says the marketing manager at the company. “We will start exporting soon after
we satisfy the local demand through the expansion of our factory,” he adds.
“Producing and marketing bottled water is actually not as easy as many would think”
says Adebabay. Like any other manufacturing business, the bottling industry needs the
appropriate technology, correct installation of machines, well trained employees, an
efficient and effective management system, and the right amount of energy.
One of the main challenges the sector faces is the regular interruption of electricity. In
producing food and drink items, a five minute disruption in electricity supply does not
just cause five minutes of trouble. If quality is to be maintained, all the materials in the
process are discharged and new inputs added. This takes not only time but also money,
as companies incur additional costs when replacing the inputs.
As one of the fastest growing economies in Africa, and home to the continent’s second
largest population, Ethiopia represents a compelling investment opportunity, particularly
in consumer oriented sectors. The expansion of bottling firms as well as the increased
production and marketing of bottled water are clear indicators of high demand for such
products. To satisfy this demand, production and marketing of high quality bottled water
will surely increase.
Ethiopia has been identified as the water tower of Africa due to the potential of its water
wealth; as seen in the country’s abundant rivers, lakes and reserves of underground
water. If the bottled water industry grows and production is improved and able to meet
international standards, Ethiopian companies will soon be able to penetrate the
international market of bottled water. EBR
Big Business with Big Potential
In one of Maritu Legesse’s popular songs there is a lyric that reads “Wesheten new enji
endiaw segedereder, enes lagere lij wuha shiche lider”. which can losely be translated
as “I’ve been hiding my feelings; but [for you], I would even [waste/spend my time]
selling water.” Asserting that she is willing even to sell water, which is too cheap to take
to a market, to show what she would do for her loved one. Traditionally, selling water
which was even as mentioned in the song, unimaginable, at least not in the Ethiopian
context. Now, things have changed, and water has become by far, one of the most
sellable products in the country.Nebiyu Getachew, who made a fortune in his youth,
spends most of his afternoons chewing Khat. A couple of bottled water usually
accompany this habit. For these two bottles of water, he pays about 20-26 birr.
“I have been using bottled water for chewing Khat for more than 10 years now and it
has become part the custom” he told EBR. To curb his expenses, Nebiyu has tried tap
water instead, but claims that this did not get the “mood” right. These days many people
like Nebiyu who chew Khat prefer bottled water, during munching. Though, some will
also consume soft drinks. “Bottled water sales is where the larger part of my profits
come from” Semira Ali, one of the owners of the Khat selling establishments around the
locality commonly known as Hayahulet, in Addis Ababa told EBR. “Most of my
customers consume one to two liters of bottled water per day”. In shops that retail Khat,
bottled water is a staple, constantly on display.
Bottled water has become an essential aspect of life not only in the Khat Houses and
shops, but also in the general urban lifestyle.
A decade ago, the idea of bottled water for many Ethiopians was a trend that
characterized the Diaspora and the modern, wealth-driven way of life. Today, it is
common to see people purchase bottled water along with their groceries in super
markets and kiosks. Young people order bottled water in cafés and restaurants. In
several offices, bottled water also has become another choice in addition to the “tea or
coffee” offered by secretaries to visitors. Bottled water has a constant presence at
meetings and discussion forums. Urbanites from many different walks of life have made
it part of everyday consumption.
Since the introduction of the product to the country through the Highland Springs brand
by Appex Bottling Company in 1999, the sector has seen tremendous growth.
Now, around 50 bottled water producing plants are operational in Ethiopia. According to
a Central Statistics Agency (CSA) 2010/11 survey, about 51 soft drinks and bottled
water manufacturing factories have been operational with a registered capital of
ETB1,106,223,000. Their production has reached more than 1.3 million hectoliters and
the gross value of production has passed ETB3.6 billion in the same survey period.
According to the same source, the sector has created approximately 8,000 jobs.
There are many reasons for this fast growth. The general economic growth the country
has been registering in the past decade is just one reason. Though this growth is
accompanied by unprecedented inflation, the income of the urban population has also
shown tremendous growth. According to the MoFED’s 2012/13 report on economic
performance, the per capita income of Ethiopians has reached USD550 from a merely
USD100 a decade ago
Technical Parameter

Model CGF24-24-8

Capacity: (for 500ml) 10000~12000 bottles/hour

Suitable bottle shapes PET Circular or Square

Bottle diameter 50~115mm

Model CGF24-24-8

Bottle height 120~320mm

Compressor air 0.3~0.7Mpa

Washing medium Pure Water

Rinsing pressure 0.06~0.2Mpa

Application Pure Drinking Water

Main motor power 3kW

Overall dimensions 2800*2330*2700mm

Weight 6000kg

MACHINE DETAILS
Washing part

1.The jar holder and bracket are made of SUS304 precision cast stainless steel

2. The rotation of the clamp is controlled by a conversion device arranged at the nozzle under the bottle
mouth

Filling part

1.The filling valve is made of SUS304, with guide ring to avoid friction

2.No bottle machine automatically stops filling

3.Good sealing performance, fast filling speed, accurate liquid level

Capping part

1.Adopt advanced magnetic force to adjust torque form

2.Screw cap can be adjusted

3.Fitted with height adjuster for sealing of various LIDS

By 3-in-1 monoblock, bottle goes through washing, filling and capping with little abrasion, and the
transferring is stable, bottle changing is easier. Specially designed stainless steel bottle gripper dose not
contact the thread parts of the bottle neck, avoiding the second contamination. High speed and mass
flow filling valve ensures the high filling speed and exact fluid level. parts contacting liquid are all made
of excellent stainless steel or food grade engineering plastic. the electric system is from international
brand and achieves the national food hygienic standard. the bottle-out starwheel is helical structure.
while changing over bottle size. It is no need to adjust bottle-out conveyor height.

1, water treatment system

Processing included: quartz sand filter, active carbon filter, sodium ion exchanger, precision filter, RO
( Reverse Osmosis ), ozone generator, finished water tank
2, automatic bottle blowing machine

It is suitable for producing PET plastic containers and bottles in all shapes. It is widely used to produce
the pure water bottle, mineral water bottle, carbonated drink bottle, juice hot fill bottle and oil bottle
etc.
3, washing filling capping 3 in 1 unit

a, washing part

<1> All 304/316stainless steel rinse heads, water spray style inject design, more save water consumption
and more clean.

<2> 304/316 Stainless steel Gripper with plastic pad, ensure minimum bottle crash during washing.
<3> 304/316 stainless steel washing pump.

b, filling part

<1> 304 Stainless steel high precision filling nozzle.

<2> Filling volume adjustable in fine rank, same liquid level after filling.

<3> All 304 stainless steel contact parts and liquid tank, fine polish, easy to clean because of no death
corner.

<4> 304 stainless steel filling pump system.

c, capping part

<1> Place and capping system, electromagnetic capping heads, with burden discharge function, make
sure minimum bottle crash during capping.

<2> All 304 stainless steel construction.

<3> Automatic stop when lack of bottle, no bottle no capping.

4, heat shrink sleeve labeling machine

It consist of auto labeling machine, heat shrink tunnel and steam generator.

This mahcine adopts international advanced technology,cover the circle label on the pet bottle.And then
hot shrinking to fix on the position which bottle body designated.
5, film shrink wrapper

PE film shrink wrapping machine

It adopts the photoelectric sensor to detect online, gather signals which are controlled by PLC, and
adopts piston as executable element, to realize product conveying, combination, film wrapping, cutting,
heat& shrink, cool and finally get the finished product.
Model washing heads filling heads capping heads capaci

CGF8-8-3 8 8 3 2000

CGF14-12-5 14 12 5 3000-4

CGF18-18-6 18 18 6 5000-7

CGF24-24-8 24 24 8 8000-9

CGF32-32-10 32 32 10 10000

CGF40-40-12 40 40 12 12000