Africa’s multi-billion-dollar beverage industry is set to get its first dedicated intelligence platform with the launch of The New Pour Summit 2026, convened by Drinkabl Africa and Drinkable Media.
The virtual press conference held today unveiled the 2026 theme: “Liquid Resilience: Future-Proofing Beverage Brands in Africa’s VUCA Markets.” The summit will be held on July 25, 2026, in a hybrid format with physical attendance at Golden Tulip Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya, and a global virtual stream.
According to Tosin Balogun, Co-Convener of the New Pour Summit and Co-Founder of Drinkabl Africa, the event was created to fill a critical gap: the absence of structured storytelling and market intelligence for Africa’s beverage sector.
“Africa’s beverage industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector, yet it has no structured storytelling machinery behind it. Drinkabl Africa and The New Pour Summit are the first to change that,” Balogun said.
“Our mandate is simple: every delegate should leave on Saturday with at least one insight they can implement in their business on Monday.”
The theme ‘Liquid Resilience’ reflects both the growth trajectory and the pressures facing beverage brands across the continent, from currency volatility and distribution barriers to regulatory shifts and counterfeiting.
In Nigeria, for example, the ongoing phase-out of sachet alcohol by NAFDAC highlights the complex operating environment.
“The brands that will thrive will not necessarily be the biggest, but the most informed,” Balogun noted. Citing Kenya’s booming Java juice category — which did not exist five years ago — he added that success now depends on understanding opportunities, overcoming barriers, and positioning brands for the next level.
The New Pour Summit 2026 will feature 8+ sessions including masterclasses, panels, workshops and a fireside chat covering Strategy, Market Intelligence, Distribution, Innovation, Capital, Advertising and Consumer Trends.
Key highlights will include: the unveiling of the New Pour Report: An aggregation of insights from 10+ independent publications, mapping capital flows to the Global South with a focus on Africa, outlining 10 key trends, and providing a growth playbook for founders and operators.
Another key feature during the event would be Actionable AI Demos. These are tools for advertising testing and real-time digital community insights to answer pressing questions like “Why are Gen Zs drinking less?”
Cross-Generational Branding Session: Led by industry expert Walter Serem, this session will examine how heritage brands like Tusker have remained relevant for 100+ years while others have faded, and how to innovate for Gen Z audiences.
“Positioning is integral,” Serem said during the briefing. “It’s about being something for someone, not everything for everyone. We need deeper conversations on cultural context. A Red Bull strategy cannot just be copied in Africa — it must be localized.”
With Nigeria’s economy and creative sector undergoing major shifts, the Summit is designed to equip delegates with practical tools to navigate change. From turnaround strategies to capital inflow and distribution, the programming is built around real challenges practitioners face — not generic business content.
Registration is now open at newpour.drinkabl.media. Passes are available as a Virtual Pass $30 / KSh 4,000 and an In-Person Reserve Pass $70 / KSh 9,000. Group registration is available on Selar. A Long-Term Platform for Africa’s Beverage Future
Beyond 2026, Drinkabl Africa envisions The New Pour Summit evolving into a year-round platform that aggregates beverage leaders, investors, and data to drive growth.
“This is not a flash in the pan,” Balogun said. “Our commitment is to keep refining this platform to serve Africans and the global market, and to contribute to the growth of Africa’s beverage industry.”