‘New Pour Summit’ to elevate Africa’s beverage sector with ‘Liquid Resilience’ agenda

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 organisers unveiled the 2026 theme: “Liquid Resilience: Future-Proofing Beverage Brands in Africa’s VUCA Markets” to the media recently. The summit will be held later this month in a hybrid format with physical attendance in 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.

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 localised.”

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