New Books Network Sara Byala, "Bottled: How Coca-Cola Became African" (Oxford UP, 2023)
Dec 30, 2025
Dr. Sara Byala, an Africanist historian and senior lecturer, delves into the fascinating journey of Coca-Cola in Africa. She explains how the brand became an integral part of local culture through adaptation and community engagement. Topics include the company’s role in employment and local economies, its involvement in the anti-apartheid movement, and the complex dynamics of decolonization. Byala also discusses the ecological impacts of Coca-Cola's operations, raising questions about sustainability and health in the face of globalization.
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The Sahara Coke Aha Moment
- Sara Byala describes an aha moment when offered an ice-cold Coca-Cola in the Sahara that sparked her research question.
- That childhood and graduate-travel experience led her to archival access and fieldwork across eight African countries.
Massive Local Economic Footprint
- Coca-Cola operates in every African country and directly employs tens of thousands.
- Company studies estimate a multiplier effect where each official job supports many more people.
The Name Roots In Africa
- The name 'Coca-Cola' traces to coca leaves and the West African kola nut, sources of historical stimulants.
- Early formulations and global knowledge of kola nut linked the drink concept back to Africa from the start.