PepsiCo appoints Felix Enwemadu as New General Manager for Foods Division in Nigeria  

NIGERIA – PepsiCo has appointed Felix Nnamdi Enwemadu as the new General Manager of its Foods business in Nigeria as the company aims to strengthen its presence in the region.  

Enwemadu, who brings over 25 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, has held senior roles, including Vice President of Customer Development and Executive Director at Unilever and General Manager at Diageo Brands Limited. 

The appointment aligns with PepsiCo’s commitment to investing in the Nigerian market, further underscored by the recent inauguration of a state-of-the-art corporate office in Ikeja, Lagos.  

PepsiCo Foods Nigeria Limited (PFNL) has developed a strong foothold in Nigeria’s local market, particularly under Enwemadu’s leadership, which will focus on delivering high-quality products for Nigerian consumers. 

At its Lagos-based Matori facility, PFNL oversees production of staple products like oats and sausage rolls. The Quaker brand, produced at this site, is widely recognized as a nutritious breakfast choice across Nigeria.  

Additionally, PFNL operates under the Yum Yum brand through Food Concepts Pioneer Limited to produce sausage rolls, a popular local snack. 

“As I assume this role, I’m thrilled to lead a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality products that resonate deeply with our Nigerian consumers,” Enwemadu said, speaking on his new position.  

He emphasized the significance of the company’s new Ikeja office in demonstrating PepsiCo’s dedication to local sourcing and reinforcing the company’s impact within Nigeria. 

Paul Andersen, CEO of PepsiCo’s West, Central, and East Africa (WECA) region, also commented on Enwemadu’s appointment, saying, “With over two decades of proven experience in the West African FMCG market, Felix brings a wealth of expertise to PepsiCo.  

His deep understanding of the Nigerian consumer landscape, coupled with strong leadership skills, will be instrumental in driving the company’s continued growth and success in the market.” 

This leadership transition in Nigeria comes as PepsiCo navigates challenges in other markets, recently adjusting its sales growth forecast for fiscal 2024.  

The company cited a decline in consumer spending in North America, largely due to inflation and higher borrowing costs, which have pushed shoppers toward cheaper, private-label brands. 

PepsiCo now anticipates its organic sales growth to be in the low single digits, down from its earlier projection of 4 percent.  

In the third quarter of 2024, PepsiCo reported a 0.6 percent drop in net revenue, totaling US$23.32 billion, with gross profit recoding a 2.7 percent decline primarily driven by a 13 percent plunge in sales from its Quaker Foods division. 

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