Sugar-sweetened beverages taxes have emerged as a critical public health policy tool, although their optimal design remains under debate compared to established tobacco and alcohol taxes.
However, policymakers worldwide have become increasingly interested in the potential of SSB taxes to improve population health and increase revenue generation leading to an increased adoption of such policies throughout the world.
Currently, sugary beverage taxes are imposed in 106 countries and territories, surpassing 52% of the world’s population.
These taxes, in particular for low and middle-income countries, are not just contributing to better health outcomes but also boosting revenue streams.
The World Bank Global SSB Tax Database was utilised in the compilation of this ranking.
This database provides information on SSB tax structures globally, aimed at supporting research, influencing policy decisions, and facilitating the development of best practices in SSB taxation.
Below are the top 10 African countries with the highest tax rates on sugar-sweetened beverages.
10 Benin
The Republic of Benin imposes a 20% tax on energy drinks, imported fruit juices, and mineral waters, with a 7% tax on all other nonalcoholic beverages, except carbonated mineral water.
9. Côte D’Ivoire
A 20% tax is imposed on all sugar-sweetened beverages in Côte D’Ivoire.
8. Ghana
In Ghana, a 20% excise duty is levied on water that contains the addition of sugar or any flavouring agent, energy drinks and fruit juices. In addition, a duty of 17.5% is imposed on plain bottled sparkling water.
7. Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, a 25% tax is enforced on carbonated unsweetened waters, along with a $0.05 per liter tax on energy drinks.
6. Cameroon
Cameroon imposes a 25% tax on carbonated drinks, with an additional excise duty of 2.5CFA francs per centilitre ($0.1254 per litre) in the case of imported nonalcoholic beverages.
5. Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, sugar-sweetened beverages, soft drinks powder, and non-alcoholic beer are taxed at 25 % while unsweetened water is taxed at 10 %.
4. Tunisia
In Tunisia, a 25% tax is applied on sugar-sweetened beverages, a 10% tax on cocoa-based preparations, and a 40% tax on concentrates.
3. Rwanda
In addition to a 10% tax on industrially packaged mineral water, and a 5% tax on natural fruit and vegetable juices, Rwanda imposed a 39 % tax on lemonade, soda or other beverages not produced by nature.
2. Burkina Faso
Energy drinks are subject to a 50% tax in Burkina Faso, while other sugars-weetened beverages have an excise duty of 15%.
1. Mauritania
In the top spot for the African country with the highest SSB tax is Mauritania, which imposes an 80% tax on mineral waters and a 60% tax on yogurt and other sweetened dairy products.
