SABMiller plans to pump $40m into Accra Brewery Ghana to boost production

SABMiller, one of the world’s leading brewers, says it plans to invest about $40 million into its Ghanaian subsidiary, Accra Brewery Limited (ABL) to boost production.

It will also support further capacity expansion, said the London-based company.

According to SABMiller, ABL’s lager volumes grew by 54% in the first half of the financial year ended September 30, 2011 thereby making Ghana one of its fast growing markets.

“Lager volumes grow by 54% in the first half of the financial year. ABL’s Club Premium Lager led this strong performance, with volumes growing by more than 80% in the second quarter alone in the fastest growing market in the region. ABL will receive approximately $40 million to support further capacity expansion in a fast growing market,” said SABMiller November 17, 2011 in a statement after announcing a $260 million investment programme to fund capacity expansion in its subsidiaries in Uganda, Ghana, Zambia and Tanzania.

SABMiller says its Africa’s impressive growth trajectory continued in the first half of the year to 30 September 2011, “with volumes up 15%…driven by continued investment in diverse product portfolios, enhanced distribution and consumer occasion activations.

SABMiller Africa has seen growth of 34% in Castle premium beers (Castle Lager, Castle Lite and Castle Milk Stout), according to the statement.

This combination of strong underlying economic fundamentals and a full range of products at all price points, the company noted, has driven increased consumer demand for beer, particularly in Uganda, Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania.

By Ekow Quandzie