Which African Countries Tax Sweetened Beverages the Most? 

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the adoption of SSB tax policies worldwide. Currently, taxes on sugary beverages are enforced in 106 countries and territories, covering 52% of the world’s population. This global shift underscores the growing recognition of SSB taxes as a viable tool for promoting healthier consumption habits and enhancing public health outcomes.

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) have become a focal point in public health discussions across the globe. As concerns over obesity and related health issues rise, governments are increasingly turning to SSB taxes as a means to curb sugar consumption and generate revenue. 

These taxes are particularly significant in Africa, where many countries are adopting aggressive fiscal policies to tackle health challenges and bolster their economies. Utilizing data from the Global SSB Tax Database provided by the World Bank, here’s a rundown of the African nations leading the charge in taxing sugar-sweetened beverages.

Mauritania

80% on mineral waters, 60% on yogurt and other sweetened dairy products. Mauritania stands out as the African country with the highest tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, primarily targeting mineral waters and sweetened dairy products.

Burkina Faso

50% on energy drinks, and 15% on other sugar-sweetened beverages. Burkina Faso’s hefty tax on energy drinks is a bold move to discourage excessive sugar consumption among its population.

Rwanda

39% on lemonade, soda, and non-natural juices; 10% on industrially packaged mineral water; 5% on natural fruit and vegetable juices. Rwanda’s tiered tax structure aims to strike a balance between revenue generation and promoting healthier beverage choices.

Tunisia

Tunisia has an SSB Tax Rate of 25% on sugar-sweetened beverages; 10% on cocoa-based preparations; 40% on concentrates. Tunisia’s diverse tax rates reflect a comprehensive approach to curbing sugar intake across various beverage categories.

Ethiopia

SSB Tax Rate of 25% on sugar-sweetened beverages, soft drink powders, and non-alcoholic beer; 10% on unsweetened waters. Ethiopia’s tax policy targets a wide range of sugary drinks, including non-alcoholic beer and soft drink powders.

Cameroon

5% on carbonated beverages; additional excise duty of 2.5 CFA francs per centilitre ($0.4125 per litre) on imported non-alcoholic beverages. Cameroon’s tax regime not only targets carbonated beverages but also places an additional burden on imported non-alcoholic drinks.

Zimbabwe

25% on carbonated unsweetened waters; $0.05 per liter tax on energy drinks. Zimbabwe’s unique approach includes taxing carbonated unsweetened waters, a move aimed at reducing overall sugar consumption.

Ghana

20% on aerated waters with added sugar, energy drinks, and fruit juices; 17.5% on plain distilled bottled water. Ghana’s tax policy extends beyond sugary beverages to include a significant tax on plain bottled water.

Côte D’Ivoire

20% on all sugar-sweetened beverages. Côte D’Ivoire’s straightforward tax rate applies uniformly to all sugary drinks, making it easier to administer and enforce.

Benin

Benin has an SSB Tax Rate of 20% on energy drinks, imported fruit juices, and mineral waters; 7% on all other non-alcoholic beverages, except non-carbonated mineral water. Benin’s tax structure differentiates between imported and locally produced beverages, with a higher tax rate on the former.