Overview

Komari Beverage Plc is an Ethiopian beverage company headquartered in Addis Ababa. Established around 2017–2018, the company has become notable for introducing hard seltzers to the Ethiopian market, a new category in the local alcoholic beverage industry.

Products

Flagship Brand – Arada:
A hard seltzer with about 5% alcohol by volume, zero sugar, and fruit flavors such as lime, apple, and pineapple.

Other Variants:
Komari has introduced extensions like Arada Turbo, and its facilities are capable of producing a range of spirits, including vodka, whiskey, and rum.

Facilities and Production

Factory Location: North Showa Zone (Amhara Region), approximately 90–100 km from Addis Ababa.

Size: Built on about 4 hectares of land.

Capacity: Around 27,000 bottles per hour, or roughly 216,000 bottles in a single 8-hour shift.

Investment: The initial construction cost exceeded USD 29 million.

Sustainability: The plant includes waste-treatment systems to minimize environmental impact.

Workforce

Komari employs over 200 permanent staff and several hundred temporary workers, reflecting its growth from a smaller base in its early years.

Market and Positioning

Komari pioneered Ethiopia’s hard seltzer market, targeting urban consumers with light, refreshing alcoholic options.

Its products were priced competitively, with individual bottles initially retailing between 30 and 50 Ethiopian birr.

The company positioned itself as an innovative alternative to established beer and spirits producers.

Ownership and Expansion

Komari was founded by Ethiopian investors and built with significant local involvement in construction and operations. In late 2024, reports surfaced of an acquisition by Heineken, reflecting the company’s rapid rise and the attractiveness of its production capacity and product innovation.

Online Presence

Website: komari.com

Contacts:

General Inquiry: +251 116 662 981

Global/Exports: global@komari.com

HR: hr@komari.com

LinkedIn: Active company page listing a workforce of 51–200 employees.