© Jasper Juinen/Heineken
Heineken plans to buy control of South Africa’s Distell Group Holdings and Namibia Breweries to form a southern African drinks group worth €4 billion.
The Dutch brewer will pay €1.3 billion in cash and add its existing South African business, to secure at least 65% of the new group.
The takeover of Distell, the owner of liqueur brand Amarula and wine labels Nederburg and Two Oceans, will mark a move by Heineken into wine and spirits. Heineken plans to sell Distell’s British-based Scotch whiskies.
Dolf van den Brink, Heineken chief executive, said: “We are very excited to bring together three strong businesses to create a regional beverage champion, perfectly positioned to capture significant growth opportunities in southern Africa”.
Completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals.
This announcement comes after Heineken acquired United Breweries Limited in India and took full ownership of Brixton Brewery.
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