Nigeria: SABMiller to increase investment in brewery expansion in Nigeria

SABMiller said on January 23 that it will be increasing its investment in its Nigerian subsidiary, Intafact Beverages Ltd, with a further USD110 million in order to triple capacity at its Onitsha brewery, according to London South East.

Brewing giant SABMiller made an initial investment of over USD100 million in the Onitsha brewery, in the largest single investment in Anambra State for almost 20 years, it said.

The company said that following growth and the success of its 'Hero Lager' product, an additional USD110 million will be pumped into the brewery to triple its current annual capacity from 700,000 to 2.1 million hectolitres. The brewery already directly employs 300 local people and the investment will lead to the creation of a further 400 direct jobs.

Simon Harvey, SABMiller Nigeria Managing Director, said, "We have made significant investments over the past five years in Nigeria and this announcement demonstrates our ongoing commitment in the country."

The capacity expansion work has begun, said SABMiller, and is set to complete in the first quarter of 2015.

The brewery will continue to produce brands including Hero Lager, Castle Milk Stout and non-alcoholic malt beverages Grand Malt and Beta Malt.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, originally commissioned the brewery in August 2012.

24 January, 2014