Despite challenges related to security and the lack of a supply chain, Soda King, a known beverage brand has moved forward with manufacturing their product in Somalia. A soda manufacturing plant is now operating in Mogadishu for the first time, ever. According to CCTV Africa, plans for expansion are already in the works as companies, which could potentially sell the product, are also opening nearby. Soda King uses local produce to flavor the soda and currently has the capacity to bottle up to 8,000 beverages in an hour, the report noted.

“We have decided to run this business in order to fill the customer demand,” Soda Factory general director Ahmed Guled told CCTV Africa. “As you know [in] Somalia there’s not enough factories and there’s no production. Usually the production is coming [from] overseas — especially in the Middle East.”