Diageo PLC Sells All of It’s 80.4% Stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries to Castel for $81 Million
Diageo PLC has completed the sale of its 80.4% stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC (GGBL) to French beverage giant Castel Group for $81 million. Despite the sale, Guinness Ghana will continue producing key Diageo brands such as Guinness, Malta, Orijin, Smirnoff Ice, and Alvaro under a long-term licensing and royalty agreement.
The deal enables Diageo to focus on brand strategy and marketing while leveraging Castel’s extensive distribution network in West and Central Africa. Guinness Ghana will remain listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, with no immediate operational or workforce changes.
Dayalan Nayager, Diageo Africa President, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, “Guinness Ghana is performing strongly, powered by a fantastic team. This transaction ensures continued growth for the Guinness brand, and we are excited to extend our partnership with Castel.”
Gregory Clerc, Castel’s CEO, highlighted the strategic significance of the acquisition, calling it a bold step in the company’s African expansion. “This acquisition reaffirms our confidence in Africa’s potential and our ambition to grow in new markets,” he said.
With this move, Castel strengthens its foothold in the African beverage market, marking its entry into its 22nd country on the continent. Meanwhile, Diageo continues its shift from direct ownership to strategic partnerships, focusing on brand influence rather than full-scale operations. The deal is expected to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals.