By Dickson Pat
Nigerian Breweries Plc ,NB, has announced the acquisition of the remaining 20% minority shareholding in Distell Wines and Spirits Nigeria Limited ,DWSN, completing its 100% full ownership of the company.
According to the company’s notice to the Nigerian Exchange Limited, the acquisition, which follows a sale and purchase agreement with minority shareholders Ekulo International Limited and Next International Nigeria Limited, which each held a 10% stake in the company marks a significant milestone in Nigerian Breweries’ expansion beyond the beer segment.
This latest development comes after Nigerian Breweries acquired an 80% majority stake in DWSN in June 2024.
By consolidating ownership, the company aims to streamline operations, enhance decision-making processes, and strengthen its position in Nigeria’s growing wines, spirits, and Ready-to-Drink ,RTD, market.
The notice was signed by the Company Secretary of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uaboi Agbebaku. It added that as part of its strategic integration, Nigerian Breweries has relocated DWSN’s production operations from its previously rented facility to NB’s premises.
The company said the transition is expected to improve operational efficiencies, leverage economies of scale, and bolster DWSN’s market share in the highly competitive beverages sector.
“The full acquisition will help to reduce complexities and make decision-making faster in the NB’s ambition to expand beyond beer.
“This move will equally allow DWSN to benefit from economies of scale available at NB’s premises as well as help to grow its share in the wines, spirits and RTD categories”, the company said.
DWSN’s locally produced brands include Chamdor, 4th Street, Hunters Dry, and Savanna, while Nigerian Breweries also imports a range of premium wine and spirits brands, such as Amarula Cream Liqueur, Drosty Hoff, Nederburg wines, and Bain’s whisky.
It said the full acquisition of DWSN aligns with Nigerian Breweries’ long-term growth strategy, reinforcing its commitment to diversifying its product portfolio and meeting the evolving preferences of Nigerian consumers.
