Mars Wrigley Kenya scales up sugar-free gum exports, expanding supply to Africa and the Middle East
By Peace Muthoka
· Athi River facility is Mars Wrigley’s ONLY sugar-free gum manufacturing site in Africa
· Export value has grown from 45% to 55%
· Kenya made sugar-free gum is now reaching a broader set of export markets, supporting the country’s position as an increasingly competitive regional manufacturing hub.
Athi River, Kenya, 4th March 2026 — Mars Wrigley Kenya today announced the continued scale-up of its sugar-free gum operations at its Athi River facility, translating into growing exports across Africa and the Middle East following the November 2025 formal launch of a dedicated sugar-free gum production line.
Athi River facility is Mars Wrigley’s only sugar-free gum manufacturing site in Africa and is the first and arguably the only plant on the continent with dedicated sugar-free gum production capabilities at scale, positioning Kenya as a strategic export base for serving fast-growing demand for sugar-free gum.
The company said exports from the Athi River site are already reaching Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
This year with expansion into new markets its export value will appreciate further to cover 61% of total value, with exports now accounting for 90% of Athi River plant sugar-free gum output.
Export footprint will be expanded beyond these established markets into Libya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Rwanda, South Africa, Burundi and Nigeria.
Building on the more than USD70 million already deployed in Kenya and the company’s plan to invest an additional USD33 million over the next three years, the manufacturer said Kenya made sugar-free gum is now reaching a broader set of export markets, supporting the country’s position as an increasingly competitive regional manufacturing hub for gum.
“By growing exports from our Athi River site, we’re demonstrating what Kenyan manufacturing can achieve at global standards,” said Mars Wrigley Kenya Plant Director, Mr. Mustaffa Bin Kamaludin. “This expansion reflects rising demand for sugar-free gum and our commitment to serving customers across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East with high-quality products made in Kenya.”
Mars Wrigley Kenya said the Athi River facility is producing an export portfolio that includes Sugar-free individually wrapped tab gum, Peppermint and Mixed Fruit variants. Further, the company plans to introduce more sugar-free 10-pellet pack variants.
Mars Wrigley has reiterated its long-term commitment to Kenya, anchored by the Athi River manufacturing facility. The company currently supports over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and is continuing to invest in capabilities to support growth and export competitiveness.
The additional USD33 million investment planned over the next three years is expected to support continued expansion, including equipment upgrades, new lines, packaging capability, warehouse expansion, quality systems, automation and sustainability initiatives.
