Key facts
- Spices All From Africa! Crowdfunding Launched for Canned "AFRICA COLA" Craft Cola That Lets You Feel the Earth
- BONA Inc. has launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce canned "AFRICA COLA," a craft cola made exclusively with African spices. This project aims to convey the charm of Africa through its flavors and foster a relationship of co-creation rather than aid.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 12, 2026
Direct answer
BONA Inc. has launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce canned "AFRICA COLA," a craft cola made exclusively with African spices. This project aims to convey the charm of Africa through its flavors and foster a relationship of co-creation rather than aid.
- Citation
- Spices All From Africa! Crowdfunding Launched for Canned "AFRICA COLA" Craft Cola That Lets You Feel the Earth (June 12, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 12, 2026
BONA Inc. has launched a crowdfunding campaign to produce canned "AFRICA COLA," a craft cola made exclusively with African spices. This project aims to convey the charm of Africa through its flavors and foster a relationship of co-creation rather than aid.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 22:24
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 13:36
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:51 (3h 15m after Collected)
"We want to increase the number of people who can toast with Africa!" Crowdfunding has begun.
BONA Inc. (Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto; CEO: Yusai Oku) has launched a crowdfunding campaign to commercialize "AFRICA COLA," a craft cola made solely with African spices, into a canned product.
(Web: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/856691/view)
This is BONA's second crowdfunding initiative.
AFRICA COLA is a craft cola brand born from an encounter in Niger, West Africa. It is developed with the aim of "conveying the charm of Africa through its taste" by generously using fascinating spices from various parts of Africa, including cardamom and cinnamon from Tanzania, which the company imports directly, as well as cola nuts from Ghana, baobab from Senegal, coriander seeds from Morocco, cloves and vanilla from Madagascar, and wild pepper.
This project marks the first time AFRICA COLA, previously offered mainly as a syrup concentrate, will be commercialized as a canned product.
Envisioned can design
Aiming for a relationship of co-creation, not just support
It's been almost three years since AFRICA COLA was launched. It all began when CEO Oku was handed a cola nut by an elder in a village in Niger, Africa.
The cola nut handed by the elder encountered locally.
Inspired by the cola nut given by an elder met locally, product development began with the desire to "create a product that walks alongside the people of Niger" and "convey the charm of Africa to more people."
AFRICA COLA aims to engage with Africa not as an "object of support" but as a "partner in co-creating value."
When people hear "Africa," they often still have impressions of aid or negativity. But Africa has delicious things, interesting cultures, and fascinating people.
We actually travel to various parts of Africa, build relationships with producers, and procure spices. Currently, we directly import Tanzanian cardamom and cinnamon and also sell them for commercial use.
Fresh cardamom and cinnamon harvested from tree bark.
New Encounters with Africa Broadened by Canned Products
Until now, AFRICA COLA has primarily been a syrup type that customers mix with carbonated water at home.
"It tasted delicious after trying it." "I'm curious about it." "I became more interested in learning about Africa." We would be happy if AFRICA COLA could serve as a touchpoint or entry point for such small sparks of excitement about Africa. Of course, we have not compromised on the taste.
With canned products, people can enjoy AFRICA COLA simply by chilling and opening it. We aim to create more opportunities for encounters with Africa at festivals, markets, restaurants, select shops, and many other venues.
Yusai Oku
CEO of BONA Inc. / CEO of Inclusive Journey Inc.
A traveler who has visited 120 countries and regions. Engaged in business, including event planning and product development. As a travel agent, proposes planned tours mainly in Africa and South America. Launched "AFRICA COLA," which focuses on all African spices, and continues to work to import Africa's diverse and open-minded values into Japan, drawing from his experience of being saved by Africa in the past.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yusai0214/
note: https://note.com/yusai_oku
About AFRICA COLA
"AFRICA COLA" is a craft cola meticulously crafted by BONA Inc., an organization active with the themes of travel, food, and places, with a commitment to using African spices. It is a luxurious blend of spices such as cardamom, grown powerfully under strong sunlight, the refreshing acidity of vitamin C-rich baobab powder from Senegal, and rare honey from Kenya, South Sudan, and other regions.
AFRICA COLA Official Website
AFRICA COLA Instagram
AFRICA COLA Online Store
Crowdfunding Project Overview
Project Name: We want to increase the number of people who can toast with Africa by making AFRICA COLA into a can!!
Target Amount: 1,000,000 yen
Project Period: June 12, 2026 - July 26, 2026
Implementing Body: BONA Inc. / AFRICA COLA
Platform: CAMPFIRE
URL: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/856691/view
【Corporate Overview】
■Name: BONA Inc.
■Representative: Yusai Oku
■Location: Mima Bldg. 301, 27 Suzaku Hozou-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
■Established: 2021
■Web: https://bona.world/
FAQ
What is unique about "AFRICA COLA"?
It exclusively uses African spices and aims for co-creation with local producers. Beyond taste, its uniqueness lies in its storytelling that conveys African culture and charm.
What are the benefits of commercializing it as a canned product?
Previously a syrup, it will become a ready-to-drink canned product, making it easily enjoyable at festivals, events, restaurants, and various other locations.
What is the target amount and period for the crowdfunding?
The target amount is 1 million yen, and the period is from June 12, 2026, to July 26, 2026. It is being conducted on CAMPFIRE.
What is BONA Inc.'s corporate philosophy?
They aim to convey Africa's diverse and open-minded values to Japan, viewing Africa not as an "object of support" but as a "partner in co-creating value."
How does this project contribute to the local economy?
By directly trading with spice producers in Africa, it contributes to fair payment and job creation, aiming to build sustainable relationships.
Back to Newsroom (3)