Diageo, the primary foreign shareholder in Guinness Nigeria Plc, has agreed to sell its 58.02% controlling stake to Tolaram, a multinational company based in Singapore. The agreement was signed on Tuesday.
According to the deal, Tolaram will acquire Diageo’s 58.02% shareholding in Guinness Nigeria and enter into long-term licence and royalty agreements to continue producing the Guinness brand and other Diageo beverages locally. Tolaram will also make a mandatory tender offer to minority shareholders, potentially increasing its controlling stake in Guinness Nigeria.
In a regulatory filing with the Nigerian Exchange on Tuesday, the board of Guinness Nigeria stated that the transaction is expected to be completed in 2025, pending necessary regulatory approvals in Nigeria.
“Diageo remains deeply committed to Nigeria and will retain ownership of the Guinness brand, which will be licensed to Guinness Nigeria for the long term, enabling the next phase of growth and development of Guinness Nigeria under the stewardship of Tolaram,” the company stated.
Tolaram, one of the largest consumer packaged goods companies in Africa, has significant presence on the continent and partnerships with several leading consumer multinational companies. Diageo and Tolaram will collaborate to drive the brand and marketing strategy for Guinness in Nigeria, ensuring long-term growth.
Guinness Nigeria will remain listed on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) after the transaction, although similar acquisitions have sometimes led to full takeovers and delistings of companies.
Chairman of Guinness Nigeria, Omobola Johnson, said the acquisition represents a significant opportunity for the company’s growth. “This partnership brings together Tolaram’s deep expertise in manufacturing and distribution, and Diageo’s exceptional capabilities in brand building and innovation. I believe this is a winning combination which leaves Guinness Nigeria extremely well placed to drive further growth in this market,” Johnson said.
Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, Adebayo Alli, described the announcement as an exciting moment for the company, its employees, and customers. “I look forward to working alongside Tolaram, which is one of the largest and most respected consumer goods companies in Africa, and I am pleased to note Tolaram’s alignment with Guinness Nigeria’s values and its strong commitment to building an enduring and sustainable business,” Alli said.
Managing Director of Tolaram Africa, Haresh Aswani, expressed excitement about the acquisition. “This strategic move will expand our significant footprint in the Nigerian market and presents an opportunity to leverage our combined strengths to foster innovation and deliver immense value to our customers and shareholders across the nation,” Aswani said.
At the close of trading on Tuesday, Guinness Nigeria Plc gained N4.24 to close at N54.80 from N50.55 when it commenced trading for the day. The volume and value of its transactions stood at 178,098 shares valued at N9.80 million exchanged in 31 deals.
