International Breweries expands retailer training programme across Nigeria

NIGERIA – International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), a subsidiary of the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in Nigeria through its 2024 Retailer Development Programme (RDP), also known as the Growing Retailers Innovatively Together (GRIT) initiative.

The one-month-long training, introduced by the parent company AB InBev and rolled out in its different markets across Africa, is designed to enhance entrepreneurial skills, promote financial inclusion, and drive sustainable growth for its numerous retailers.

IBPLC launched the programme in five major markets across Nigeria, which include Port Harcourt, Onitsha, Ilesha, Lagos, and Sagamu.

This initiative has already trained approximately 800 retailers in these locations, with a goal to train a total of 1,000 retailers by the end of 2024.

The programme, centered on the pillars of Inclusion, Education, and Growth, offers customized business training, coaching, and mentorship to retailers.

Building on its initial success in 2023, where about 150 local retailers were trained, GRIT has expanded its reach to support more retail partners across Nigeria and six other African countries.

Beneficiaries of the training are retail partners and bars owned and operated by men, women, and youth above 18 years.

The 2024 edition of the Retailer Development Programme introduced a hybrid training model, offering participants the flexibility to choose between in-person and virtual learning.

This innovation ensured that more retailers could benefit from the programme regardless of location or schedule.

Virtual training was delivered through an innovative mobile app, compatible with the latest mobile technology, enabling seamless access to business insights and learning materials.

International Breweries Plc is the producer of Trophy, Hero, Budweiser, Castle Lite, and other beverage brands in Nigeria.

In June, IBPLC recorded the largest-ever equity issuance in Nigeria, boosting the Nigerian stock market capitalization by N599 billion in 2024.

According to Chapel Hill Denham Advisory Limited, an independent investment banking firm in Nigeria, the brewers issued N516.2 billion in the first half of 2024.

“International Breweries Plc announced the completion of the N164.4 billion Rights Issue on Thursday, following receipt of the Securities & Exchange Commission’s approval of the Basis of Allotment. This offer is Nigeria’s largest-ever Rights Issue and was 100 percent subscribed,” the firm said.

It added that the net proceeds will reduce the company’s leverage, thereby setting the brewer on the path to profitability after the landmark construction of the Gateway plant – the second-largest brewery plant in Africa – costing over US$250 million. 

With approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on the basis of allotment, the Rights Issue was completed, marking a transformative moment for IBPLC.

By converting long-term debt into equity, the company is well-positioned to pursue new growth initiatives with less financial burden and greater stability. 

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