Castel Group has officially completed its $81 million acquisition of Diageo’s 80.4 percent stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC, marking a significant shift in Ghana’s beverage industry landscape.
The strategic transaction received final regulatory approval last week, deepening Castel’s operational footprint across Africa. The deal represents Ghana’s addition as Castel’s 22nd market on the continent, reflecting the company’s aggressive expansion strategy in African beverage markets.
Under the agreement, Castel assumes operational leadership of Guinness Ghana while leveraging its extensive distribution network and regional expertise. However, Diageo retains ownership of key brands including Guinness, Malta Guinness, Orijin, Smirnoff Ice, and Alvaro, which will continue being brewed and distributed in Ghana under long-term licensing and royalty arrangements.
“This transition affirms Castel’s belief in Ghana’s long-term economic potential,” stated Gregory Clerc, Castel Group CEO. “With our heritage and extensive distribution network, we are committed to enhancing Guinness Ghana’s operations and building on its strong foundation.”
The acquisition aligns with Diageo’s broader strategy of adopting flexible, asset-light operating models in its beer segment. This approach enables the company to focus on brand building and innovation while relying on regional partners like Castel for local manufacturing and distribution scale.
Dayalan Nayager, President of Diageo Africa, noted positive expectations for continued brand performance. “Guinness Ghana is performing strongly powered by a fantastic team. Through this transaction, I look forward to the Guinness brand continuing to thrive and delivering further growth.”
Both companies assured operational continuity with no disruption to existing services. Guinness Ghana will continue functioning under its current structure with all employees remaining in place under existing terms. The company will retain its listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange, maintaining local market accessibility.
Castel pledged to uphold employee contracts and strengthen local engagement, demonstrating commitment to preserving institutional knowledge and operational expertise. The acquisition represents confidence in Ghana’s economic future and the enduring strength of the Guinness brand in local markets.
The transaction follows Diageo’s recent divestments across Africa, including Guinness Nigeria to Tolaram and Guinness Cameroon to Castel. Despite these strategic exits, Diageo maintains broad continental presence through operations in 34 countries via East African Breweries Limited and Diageo South West Central.
For Castel, this acquisition represents bold strategic expansion into new markets. “It reflects our ability to explore new horizons on a continent full of opportunities,” Clerc emphasized, highlighting the company’s commitment to African market development.
The deal is expected to enhance operational efficiency through Castel’s established distribution networks while maintaining brand integrity through continued Diageo licensing arrangements. This hybrid model balances local operational expertise with international brand management capabilities.
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