Lengthy licensing processes for breweries and distilleries are slowing investment in East Africa's beverage industry, with industry players calling for regulatory reforms to support business expansion and innovation.
The concern emerged at the inaugural New Pour Summit 2026, where beverage executives, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators discussed barriers to growth in one of Africa's fastest-evolving industries.
Drinkabl Africa co-founder Tosin Balogun said regulatory hurdles remain a major challenge for entrepreneurs seeking to grow beverage businesses.
He said discussions with operators in East Africa revealed that lengthy licensing processes for breweries and distilleries continue to delay investment and industry expansion.
"Access to capital is one of the biggest obstacles facing entrepreneurs, but regulation is also a major challenge," Balogun said, adding that many founders have innovative ideas but struggle to commercialize them because of financing constraints and regulatory bottlenecks.
Balogun said the industry also faces a shortage of technical and business expertise needed to help founders scale their businesses, underscoring the need for platforms that promote knowledge sharing and collaboration.
The summit, organized by Drinkabl Africa, brought together beverage executives, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators to discuss how the industry can unlock growth through innovation, sustainability and stronger collaboration.
According to Balogun, Africa's beverage industry is changing rapidly as consumers become more selective in their purchasing decisions.
He said younger consumers are not necessarily drinking less but are instead seeking better value, sustainability and brands that align with their personal values.
The industry is also seeing growing demand for premium products and greater transparency around ingredients and sourcing, trends that are influencing how beverage companies develop new products.
Balogun added that manufacturers are increasingly investing in local agriculture through backward integration, supporting farmers to grow raw materials such as sorghum and barley while reducing dependence on imports.
Throughout the summit, speakers agreed that while demographic growth, digital transformation and changing consumer preferences present significant opportunities for Africa's beverage industry, governments, investors and manufacturers will need to work together to address regulatory and financing barriers if the sector is to realize its full potential.
