PepsiCo invests $40 million to expand snacks business in Ethiopia

PepsiCo will invest approximately $40 million in Ethiopia to expand its Senselet snacks business, which produces chips under the brand name Sun Chips.

The investment will fund the creation of another potato chip product, among other snacks, in line with its production facility.

Sunchips are sold across approximately 10,000 outlets.

Further investments are being considered in Ethiopia to expand its portfolio beyond snacks.

Senselet’s potato processing site was constructed in 2017 and has since generated over 300 jobs and exports to two neighboring countries.

According to Chris Wijnterp, general manager of PepsiCo’s foods unit in Ethiopia, the cash injection will allow them to increase their production capacity for snacks tenfold.

It would also boost the company’s potato sourcing programs, manufacturing, and go-to-market capabilities.

He added that the investment forms part of PepsiCo’s efforts to help build a more sustainable food system in Ethiopia.

PepsiCo hopes to “contribute to food security in Ethiopia by developing the production of potatoes locally, increasing farmers’ income, and building a more stable potato value chain.