NIGERIA – AB InBev’s Nigerian unit, International Breweries Plc (IB Plc) will commission new US$250 million plant in Sagamu, its fourth brewery in Nigeria and the biggest in West Africa on August 28.
According to the Guardian, the inauguration will be conducted by President Muhammadu Buhari and complements other brewing facilities in Ilesa, Onitsha, and Port-Harcourt.
The Plant Manager, Tony Agah said the plant had already employed 300 staff and the company looks to source about 90% of the company’s raw materials locally.
The company said with the new plant, it is working towards its strategic goal of producing high-quality drinks locally, at the same time providing employment and supporting Nigeria’s foreign direct investment aspiration.
“Objectively, International Breweries Plc is a brand that places a premium on quality. Bearing this in mind, we will spare no expense or effort in ensuring that Nigerians are treated to the best traditions in brewing, with outstanding recipes, superior ingredients, innovation and world class techniques.
The outcome is to ensure satisfaction and enjoyment for our consumers,” said Managing Director, Annabelle Degroot.
“One of the objectives of the company is to create job opportunities for the people of Ogun State as well as Nigerians in general.
The plant will also be instrumental in empowering farmers as most of the raw materials required will be sourced locally.
This will, in turn, contribute to the economic development of the country.”
The company’s Corporate Affairs Director Otunba Michael Daramola, noted that the establishment of the plant in Nigeria was in further recognition of the corollary between having prestigious brands and a befitting world-class setting.
AB InBev revealed the project last year and the facility will be the company’s largest brewery in Africa outside of South Africa.
Earlier this month, AB InBev unveiled plans to construct a new brewery in Mozambique in the second half of 2019, to compete with rival Heineken.
These developments follow the merger of AB InBev’s three subsidiaries in Nigeria that is, International Breweries, Pabod Breweries and Intafact Breweries into one unit, called International Breweries.
IB Plc recently launched a global brand, Budweiser in the Nigerian market in addition to Trophy, Hero, Betamalt, Grandmalt, Castle Lite and Eagle lager beer as its products line.
