African Originals becomes Africa’s first gin and cider B Corp

KENYA – Nairobi-based beverage company African Originals has become the first gin and cider manufacturer in Africa to earn B Corporation certification, a designation awarded to companies meeting verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and legal accountability.

The certification is administered by B Lab, a non-profit organisation that evaluates businesses on their impact on workers, communities, customers, and the environment. 

African Originals now joins a growing global network of nearly 10,000 certified B Corporations across 90 countries, each operating under a shared goal of using business as a force for public benefit.

The company, founded in Kenya, sources all its ingredients from local farms and has implemented enterprise development programmes targeting women and youth. It has publicly committed to eliminating plastic from its packaging by 2026 and reducing paper use by 2027. 

These actions, according to B Lab Africa CEO Lucy Muigai, reflect a growing trend in the region’s food and beverage sector towards measurable impact in sustainability and inclusive business models.

African Originals recorded sales of 80 million units in December 2024 and, in September the same year, received a US$2 million capital injection to fund its regional expansion strategy. 

The company’s product portfolio, which includes its well-known ciders and craft gin, has helped it establish a niche in East Africa’s increasingly competitive beverage market.

The B Corp milestone places African Originals alongside other Kenyan firms taking a certified approach to responsible business practices. 

In 2023, Bio Foods Ltd, a Kenyan dairy company, became the country’s first Food & Beverage firm to achieve B Corporation certification following a two-year assessment process. 

The company is known for its premium dairy products and sustainability commitments, including reduced carbon emissions and ethical sourcing.

B Lab’s rigorous certification process includes a B Impact Assessment that measures a company’s performance across five key areas: governance, workers, community, environment, and customers. 

Only companies scoring at least 80 out of 200 points qualify for certification, and they are required to undergo recertification every three years.

African Originals stated that the B Corp designation is an acknowledgment of its operational and impact standards. The firm highlighted that this is not an endpoint, but part of an ongoing commitment to build a more transparent and purpose-driven enterprise in the beverage sector.

Increased demand for verified corporate responsibility 

The certification comes amid a broader shift in consumer and investor expectations, with increased demand for verified corporate responsibility and measurable environmental stewardship. 

B Lab Africa has reported a steady rise in certification applications from across the continent, particularly from companies in agriculture, food processing, and consumer goods.

As part of its B Corp obligations, African Originals is now legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on all stakeholders, not just shareholders. The move aligns with growing global interest in multi-stakeholder governance models that prioritize long-term social and environmental outcomes alongside profit.