General
Nigeria Leads 10 Biggest Beer Drinking Countries
By Dipo Olowookere
The list of top 10 biggest beer drinking countries in Africa has been released by a market research group called Global Data, formerly known as Canadean and the lead spot was occupied by Nigeria, the most populous nation in the continent.
As a result of its population, Nigeria led the chart with 12.28 litres of beer consumed per year.
Beer makes up just 16 percent of alcohol consumption in Nigeria, while other drinks make up 84 percent due to the high popularity of home-brewed beverages.
Africa is by far the fastest growing region for beer consumption and research showed that over 5 percent annual growth of beer consumption in Africa, compared with 3 percent for Asia and less than 1 percent for Western Europe.
“There is untapped potential,” Global Data Analyst Andrew Curran said, noting that although, Ivory Coast is outside the top 10 beer consuming countries in Africa, it is showing more or less matching growth rates to the top 10.
Nigeria is being followed on the top 10 beer consuming countries in Africa by Uganda, which consumes 11.93 litres per year; Botswana is third, with 7.96 litres per year, leaving Kenya in the fourth position, with 9.72 litres per year.
While Namibia and Burundi consume 9.62 litres per year and 9.47 litres per year, respectively, South Africa and Gabon consume 9.46 litres per year and 9.32 litres per year, respectively.
Rwanda consumes 9.10 litres of beer per year, while Tanzania consumes 7.7 litres of beer per year.
However, Global Data’s research identified Ivory Coast as one of the continent’s most dynamic economies, with annual growth of over 8 percent, and her beer market is also expected to expand.
“The Ivory Coast is outside the top 10 beer consuming countries in Africa, but it is showing more or less matching growth rates to the top 10,” the report said, adding that Ivory Coast has also gained importance since the recent merger between rivals SAB Miller and InBev.
According to Curran, SAB Miller and InBev have consolidated their dominance in South Africa and forced Heineken to focus on the francophone West.
He believes that success in the Ivory Coast could lead to further gains in the region, such as in Burkina Faso and Benin,
Global Data’s report of Ivory Coast’s push to the top 10 biggest beer drinking countries in Africa came on the heels of Dutch multinational Heineken’s investment of $160 million in the West African country’s beer market.
Heineken recently launched a new brewery named Brassivoire in association with distribution specialists CFAO on the outskirts of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan.
The $160 million state-of-the-art facility has capacity to produce 160 million liters of beer a year. The brewery will produce Heineken Ivoire beer, the result of extensive research into local tastes.
Brassivoire has around 200 highly-skilled local employees, who have received over 3000 hours of training between them, according to General Manager Alexander Koch.
The Dutch beer giant Heineken, which is the world’s second largest brewer, is targeting the Ivory Coast, and has said that its Ivoire brand has been well received and intends to scale up production.
The vast majority of beer consumers in Ivory Coast are provided by French company Castel Groupe, which owns popular brands including Solibra, Flag and Castel. Castel Groupe previously held near monopoly on Ivorian beer market.
However, with the inauguration of a new $160 million state-of-the-art plant, Heineken has made an ambitious play for the fast-growing Ivorian beer market.
“It (Ivory Coast) has a young population, a high rate of urbanization – almost 50 per cent already – a dynamic economy and there is only one player so far,” says Heineken CEO Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer.
What this means is that the battle for the soul of Ivory Coast’s beer market may have commenced. Already, Heineken believes its new Ivoire beer can eat into Castel’s market share, with its relatively low price and a product designed for local consumers.
“We researched for years,” Koch said, adding, “We developed the bottle, the name, the color code, even the recipe together with the Ivorian consumer.”
He said the new beer has performed well so far, and production will soon increase. “The Ivoire brand has had an incredibly good reception from the Ivorian consumer,” Koch stated, adding, “We are currently running at full capacity and will bring forward some of our investments to meet demand.”
Source: The Nation
By Adedapo Adesanya
President Bola Tinubu will embark on a state visit to France on Wednesday and stay in the European country for the next three days in honour of an invitation from President Emmanuel Macron.
The presidency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
The statement said President Tinubu will “be received on Thursday at the 350-year-old French military museum, Les Invalides and Palais de l’Élysée, by Mr Macron and his spouse, Brigitte, for initial ceremonies that will dovetail into bilateral meetings.”
“The Nigerian leader’s three-day visit, which will focus on strengthening political, economic, and cultural relations and establishing more opportunities for partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, education, health, youth engagement and employment, innovation, and energy transition, promises significant benefits for Nigeria,” the statement said.
“Both leaders will participate in political and diplomatic meetings highlighting shared values on finance, solid minerals, trade and investments, and communication. They will also witness a session by the France-Nigeria Business Council, which oversees private sector participation in economic development.
“Brigitte and Nigeria’s First Lady will discuss the latter’s passion for empowering women, children, and the most vulnerable through the Renewed Hope Initiative,” it added.
The President will travel for the visit with his wife, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, and other senior government officials. They will be hosted at a state dinner by the French leader before their departure.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Some trucks belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited have been sighted lifting premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, at the newly-renovated Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State.
The facility commenced processing crude oil processing on Monday of about 90,000 barrels per day, representing 60 per cent of its installed capacity of 150,000 barrels per day.
The plant began production three years after the government approved $1.5 billion for its rehabilitation.
On Tuesday, trucks stormed the refinery to load petrol and other petroleum products in preparation for competing with the Dangote Refinery, which commenced PMS production in September 2024.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Mr Olufemi Soneye, in a statement today, said trucks began loading petroleum products which include Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene, while other product slates will be dispatched as well.
Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of product loading at the refinery today, the chief executive of the form, Mr Mele Kyari, described this as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support and understanding towards the rehabilitation project and for his persistence in ensuring energy security for the country.
Mr Kyari also expressed deep appreciation to the NNPC board and the entire staff for their support and commitment, which crystallized into the streaming of the refinery, commending the contractors for doing a great job in ensuring that the refinery is delivered despite all challenges.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr Farouk Ahmed, congratulated the NNPC for the milestone and assured of his agency’s continued support towards the completion of rehabilitation work at the other refineries.
The refinery rehabilitation project is an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning (EPCIC) project aimed at restoring the refinery to full functionality and renewal.
It has achieved over 16 million manhours with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI).
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Navy has arrested three individuals suspected of attempting to smuggle 20,000 litres of petrol into the Republic of Cameroon as the country continues to battle oil theft.
The arrest took place on Monday during a routine night patrol on Mbo River, according to the Nigerian Navy’s Forward Operating Base, FOB, in Ibaka, Akwa Ibom State.
This was disclosed by the Commanding Officer of the Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Captain Uche Aneke.
“The suspects were arrested at about 7 p.m. while our operatives were conducting a stop-and-search during a routine patrol.
“Upon intercepting the wooden vessel, which was laden with about 1,000 cartons of different brands of beer and other goods, we discovered 100 drums of PMS carefully concealed under the cartons,” Captain Aneke added.
The seized items, along with the suspects, were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.
Captain Aneke also reiterated the Navy’s commitment to combating maritime crimes and issued a stern warning to those involved in illicit activities.
“I warn individuals or groups involved in smuggling or any form of criminal activity within Nigeria’s waters to desist immediately.
“Criminal elements in the FOB Ibaka area of operations under the Eastern Naval Command Area of Responsibility will continue to be detected using advanced surveillance equipment and intelligence.
“Nigeria’s waters and the Nigerian coastal areas are not for illegal activities.”
Receiving the suspects and exhibit, the Assistant Superintendent of Corps, NSCDC, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Willie Sunday, confirmed the transfer.
“We will further investigate and possibly prosecute the suspects,” he added.
Oil theft has been one of Nigeria’s main challenges. It has led to a drop in revenue earnings and has forced the Nigerian government to step up security efforts in the Niger Delta.
Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed that Nigeria’s oil production averaged 1.47 million barrels per day in the second quarter of the year, compared to 1.45 million barrels per day in the first quarter.
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