When Canadian technology company OnActuate completed a major project in Burkina Faso, the impact went beyond just software.
Selected to implement enterprise systems for Coca-Cola Burkina Bottling Company (CCBBC), the Canada-based firm helped support a new bottling operation designed to grow, create jobs, and serve markets beyond Burkina Faso.
OnActuate is a Vancouver-based technology and consulting firm, with an office in Toronto and team members working across several regions globally.
“We are a Canadian organization, but truly with a global presence,” says CEO Sharan Oberoi.
As a Microsoft partner, OnActuate helps organizations modernize how they run their businesses by implementing enterprise systems that connect finance, supply chains, and operations. These systems enable automation, scaling, and data-driven decision-making.
From early on, the company looked beyond Canada. As it began exploring international markets, OnActuate sought guidance on how to approach exporting more strategically. The team was introduced to the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) through the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) in Vancouver in 2018.
Early discussions with the TCS helped shape how the company approached international expansion. Over time, OnActuate continued working with Trade Commissioners as opportunities emerged in markets including India, the United States, Panama, Singapore, and Trinidad and Tobago. Each engagement added to the company’s understanding of how different markets operate, how relationships are built, and how trust develops over time.
Within the Coca-Cola bottler ecosystem, a global network of independent companies licensed to produce and distribute Coca-Cola products, OnActuate has developed specialized experience supporting beverage manufacturers as they modernize their operations.
The combination of sector expertise and accumulated international experience positioned the company well when a new opportunity began to take shape in West Africa.
As the official bottling partner for Coca-Cola products in Burkina Faso, CCBBC operates a manufacturing facility responsible for producing, bottling, and distributing beverages.
By producing and bottling locally, the facility reduces reliance on imports, supports domestic manufacturing, and creates new employment opportunities. As capacity expands, it also allows the company to supply nearby markets, strengthening regional trade.
For Dennis Lacey, VP of Business Development at OnActuate, the opportunity stood out.
“There’s a real appetite for modernization,” he says. “These markets want the same things developed countries want. And they want to get there quickly.”
As a newer bottler, CCBBC was operating with early-stage tools and manual processes, with limited visibility across finance, supply chain, and production. What it needed was a single, scalable platform to support growth and faster decision-making.
OnActuate first identified the opportunity through their webcasts, where CCBBC expressed interest in modernizing its systems.
Discussions progressed, and OnActuate later met key stakeholders through a Coca-Cola annual conference that brings together bottlers and strategic partners. As the opportunity advanced, one familiar challenge became clear.
“A key challenge is local presence,” says Lacey. “Having someone on the ground.”
Despite OnActuate’s experience working in other international markets, Francophone West Africa was new territory. Moving forward required trusted local relationships, clarity on how decisions were made, and direct access to senior leadership, particularly in an environment where government involvement was closely embedded in the process.
At that point, the value of having an established relationship with the Trade Commissioner Service became clear once again.
In 2024, Lacey connected with Mamadou Ouattara, Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Embassy in Ouagadougou.
“I can tell you from day one, it was warm, receptive, collaborative and informative,” says Lacey. “We had regular calls right through the sales cycle.”
By engaging locally and leveraging the credibility of the Canadian Embassy, the Trade Commissioner Service helped facilitate introductions to key stakeholders, including CCBBC’s CEO, Caroline Ouédraogo, and her leadership team.
Being formally introduced and supported by the TCS helped legitimize OnActuate in the eyes of decision-makers and reinforced confidence on both sides.
“The Trade Commissioner Service helped us get access to the right people,” says Lacey. “That level of advocacy made a real difference.”
Beyond introductions, the Trade Commissioner Service played a key role in helping OnActuate navigate the Burkina Faso market.
Through regular engagement, Mamadou helped OnActuate understand local business dynamics, identify key stakeholders, and manage expectations throughout a long and complex sales cycle. That insight helped maintain momentum and reduce uncertainty.
The TCS also supported OnActuate in identifying and hiring a local project coordinator, an essential step for delivering a large-scale implementation on the ground.
For OnActuate, projects like this require patience, but the payoff is significant.
“You have to be patient,” Lacey notes. “But it’s rewarding. It’s amazing to see the effects your project has so quickly; employment opportunities, productivity gains, and real economic growth.”
After extensive consultations, demonstrations, and a full proof-of-concept phase, OnActuate was selected to deliver the project.
On October 1, 2025, the company implemented a unified Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain platform, supported by capabilities tailored to beverage bottlers. The system replaced fragmented tools with a single, integrated platform.
“They now have real-time visibility across their operations,” says Lacey. “That allows them to understand supply and demand, reduce costs, and increase productivity.”
The platform also supports more sustainable operations. By improving tracking across production, inventory, and returnable packaging, the system helps reduce waste, improve empty-bottle management, and support more efficient use of water, a critical consideration for beverage producers.
For OnActuate, the project represented the company’s first commercial engagement in Burkina Faso and a meaningful entry point into West Africa.
For CCBBC, it marked an important step in building a modern manufacturing operation, supported by systems designed for long-term growth, strengthening local supply chains, and enabling regional expansion.
And for the Trade Commissioner Service, it demonstrates how early engagement, long-term relationships, and embassy-level advocacy can help Canadian companies succeed in complex emerging markets, even when the export is a service rather than a physical product.
“For us, Mamadou was part of the team,” says Lacey. “That local presence and understanding made all the difference.”
OnActuate plans to build on its success, using Burkina Faso as a gateway to other markets in the region. The company is also expanding its focus in Southeast Asia, supported from its Singapore office, while continuing to grow in the United States and explore opportunities in Trinidad and Tobago.
CEO Sharan Oberoi encourages other Canadian companies to think long term when expanding internationally.
“Start early with the Trade Commissioner Service and treat them as a long-term partner,” he says. “Their local insights and connections help reduce risk and open doors you can’t access on your own.”
With the right support, Canadian companies can succeed in emerging markets and help build systems that support growth well beyond a single deal.
Looking to diversify your exports? The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps Canadian companies of all sizes succeed in international markets through export advisory services, funding, accelerator programs, and tailored support at trade missions and events.
A solid diversification strategy can help you build long-term stability and global success. You can expand your client base and navigate challenges such as:
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