Varun Beverages DRC Announces USD 50 Million Pepsi Production Facility at Rendeavour's Kiswishi City Special Economic Zone

Investment boosts job creation and advanced manufacturing capabilities in the region

LUBUMBASHI, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Varun Beverages, one of the largest franchisees of PepsiCo in the world, has announced a USD 50 million investment in a state-of-the-art Pepsi production facility in Kiswishi City, the first private Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The plant – one of the largest consumer-focused foreign direct investments (FDI) in DRC history – will create thousands of jobs and expand the brands of New York-based PepsiCo in the fast-growing African country.

The Pepsi beverage facility will be developed on 15 hectares (37 acres) of land at Kiswishi City SEZ, along the N1 Highway, with easy access to the Lubumbashi's rapidly expanding population, the Haut-Katanga Province and beyond. Kiswishi is strategically positioned to enhance logistical efficiencies and economic development across the region, a growth engine for PepsiCo and Varun Beverages.

"Varun's expansion will meet the rising demand for Pepsi beverages in DRC and support our long-term growth trajectory in Africa," said Ravi Kant Jaipuria, Chaiman of Varun Beverages. "Our investment in Kiswishi City SEZ exemplifies our confidence in Congolese consumers and commitment to sustainable manufacturing."

Backed by American, New Zealand, British and Norwegian investors, Kiswishi City SEZ is a project by Rendeavour, Africa's largest new city builder, whose mixed-use cities in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia have catalysed billions of dollars in foreign and domestic investment, along with tens of thousands of jobs for young Africans.

"We are delighted to welcome Varun Beverages and Pepsi to Kiswishi City SEZ, which will create thousands of job opportunities and bolster the economic landscape of the Haut-Katanga province," said Yannick Kitambo, Director of Operations, Kiswishi City SEZ. "This investment is a testament to our commitment to make Kiswishi the most attractive destination for FDI in DRC. With its secure and predictable business environment, Kiswishi is an engine for growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo."

Kitambo credited the Special Economic Zones Authority and Ministry of Industry for creating a conducive investment environment through the country's reliable SEZ framework. Other businesses at Kiswishi City SEZ include Congo Petrol and Queen Energy. Phase one of Kiswishi's residential estate, Kimia, is 95% sold out.

Kitambo added: "Due to the professional support of the Government of DRC, particularly the President's office, the Ministry of Industry, and its Special Economic Zone Agency, we expect further foreign direct investment in DRC, which will help drive socioeconomic development in the country."

About Varun Beverages Limited (www.varunbeverages.com)

Varun Beverages Limited is one of the largest franchise bottler globally of PepsiCo beverages. The company operates in multiple regions across Asia and Africa, encompassing an extensive portfolio of carbonated and non-carbonated beverages. Varun Beverages entered Africa in 2007 when it acquired the PepsiCo franchise in Mozambique. Since then, it has expanded operations into  Zambia, Morocco, Zimbabwe, South Africa and more recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it has already commissioned a Pepsi production facility at Maluku SEZ near Kinshasa.

About Rendeavour (www.rendeavour.com)

Rendeavour is the largest new city builder in Africa. Backed by American, Norwegian, New Zealand and British investors, Rendeavour's cities are among the largest construction projects in Africa and hubs for businesses, homes, education and recreation within a infrastructure-ready economic zones.

Current development at Rendeavour is valued at more than $5 billion, with 150 businesses, schools educating more than 6,000 students and 10,000 mixed-income homes occupied or under development.

Rendeavour has created more than 50,000 jobs in the last five years, including the largest call center in East Africa, staffed by 5,000 young Kenyans serving major American customers like United Airlines, JetBlue and Amazon. A further 4,000 call center jobs are confirmed by 2026.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Varun Beverages DRC Announces USD 50 Million Pepsi Production Facility at Rendeavour's Kiswishi City Special Economic Zone

The Most Reliable and Secure Contactless Solution to Date

UNION CITY, Calif., Oct. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anviz, a brand of Xthings, a global leader in intelligent security solutions, announces the upcoming release of its latest access control solution, the M7 Palm, equipped with cutting-edge Palm Vein Recognition technology. This innovative device is designed to provide superior accuracy, security, and convenience to high-security and privacy-sensitive environments in industries such as banking, data centers, laboratories, airports, prisons, and government institutions. Launching globally today, Anviz is gearing up to revolutionize the way users interact with access control systems.

The M7 Palm Vein Access Control Device offers a seamless access experience, allowing users to unlock doors with a wave of the hand. Using Palm Vein Recognition, a top-tier biometric security method, it addresses the limitations of facial and fingerprint recognition by providing a more secure, non-invasive, and user-friendly solution.

Palm Vein Recognition captures the unique pattern of veins inside a person's palm using near-infrared light. Hemoglobin absorbs the light, creating a vein map, which is converted into a secure digital template through advanced algorithms, ensuring accurate identification. Unlike facial recognition, which may raise privacy concerns, or fingerprint scans, which can be affected by wear, palm vein recognition is discreet, reliable, and harder to forge. Its non-contact nature also makes it more hygienic, ideal for environments with strict health protocols.

The M7 Palm Vein Access Control Device leverages this advanced technology to provide a seamless and secure user experience. With a False Rejection Rate (FRR) of ≤0.01% and a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of ≤0.00008%, the accuracy of the system far exceeds that of traditional fingerprint or face recognition methods, offering a higher level of protection for critical infrastructure and sensitive information.

The M7 Palm Vein Access Control Device stands out for its numerous advantages, making it an ideal solution for high-security environments. The benefits of using palm veins are as follows:

Moreover, the features of the M7 Palm are designed by meticulously polishing the needs of the users:

As security becomes a growing priority, demand for biometric solutions like palm vein recognition is surging. By 2029, the global market for palm vein biometrics is projected to reach $3.37 billion, with a CAGR of over 22.3%. The Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector is expected to lead this growth alongside military, security, and data center applications.

"As a milestone product in the biometrics and security industry, till next June, Xthings will work with more than 200 partners to bring the product to markets such as North America, Western Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, empowering the clients to enjoy a safer and more convenient experience. $3.3 Billion market share is there, let's work together!" said Peter Chen, Product Marketing Manager. [To talk about partnership]

Though still in the early stages of market adoption, Anviz is committed to advancing palm vein technology. With limited competition, the M7 Palm Vein Access Control Device is poised to make a significant impact. Anviz continues to innovate, delivering smarter, safer, and more convenient security solutions globally.

About Anviz

Anviz, a brand of Xthings, is a global leader in converged intelligent security solutions for SMBs and enterprise organizations. Anviz offers comprehensive biometrics, video surveillance, and security management systems powered by cloud, Internet of Things (IoT), and AI technologies. Anviz serves various industries, including commercial, education, manufacturing, and retail sectors, supporting over 200,000 businesses in creating smarter, safer, and more secure environments.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Anviz Unveils M7 Palm Access Control Device