Guinness Nigeria to distribute Diageo spirits

Diageo has appointed Guinness Nigeria as the exclusive distributor of its international spirits brands, effective from 1 January.

In Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria will handle Diageo’s portfolio of international spirits brands

The UK drinks group holds a 54.3% shareholding in Guinness Nigeria, a listed company. Diageo said the terms of the deal are ‘not material’.

In the year ending 30 June 2015, Diageo’s international premium spirits net sales in Nigeria were £20 million.

Earlier this year, Diageo terminated its joint venture with Heineken and Namibia Breweries in South Africa and Namibia three years earlier than planned, taking distribution in-house.

The group has formed standalone entities to market and distribute its brands in the countries – a move Diageo claims will allow it to strengthen its investment in spirits.