Diageo completes divestment of majority stake in Guinness Ghana Breweries to Castel Group 

GHANA – Diageo has completed the sale of its 80.4% shareholding in Guinness Ghana Breweries plc to Castel Group, marking a significant shift in its strategic approach to the African beverage market.  

The transaction, initially announced on January 28, 2025, forms part of Diageo’s broader efforts to optimise its portfolio and sharpen its focus on core brand operations through strategic partnerships. 

Although the majority stake has been sold, Diageo retains ownership of the Guinness brand and other products currently produced by Guinness Ghana.  

These beverages will continue to be brewed and distributed by the Ghanaian subsidiary under long-term licensing and royalty agreements. Guinness Ghana will also remain responsible for distributing Diageo’s international premium spirits brands within the country. 

The move reflects a growing trend among global beverage companies to restructure operations in Africa to adapt to shifting market dynamics. Castel Group’s acquisition is expected to drive further investment in Ghana’s beverage industry, enhancing Guinness Ghana’s capacity and market reach. 

Guinness Ghana Breweries has played a pivotal role in the local economy, contributing to employment and industry growth.  

Castel Group, known for its strong footprint across Africa’s beverage sector, is anticipated to strengthen operations and inject new momentum into the Ghanaian business. 

This sale follows another recent divestiture by Diageo in Africa. In June 2024, the company announced that Singapore-based Tolaram would acquire a 58.02% stake in Guinness Nigeria at a share price of NGN 81.60 per share (approximately $0.05).  

Diageo noted that the transaction aimed to accelerate Guinness’s growth in Nigeria and introduce a new operating model for its mainstream spirits and ready-to-drink portfolio in the country. 

In another move to reshape its African business, Diageo recently sold its 54.4% stake in Seychelles Breweries Limited to Phoenix Beverages Limited, a subsidiary of Mauritius-based IBL Group.  

That deal, announced on April 2, 2025, was valued at approximately $80 million. As with Ghana and Nigeria, Diageo has retained the rights to its core brands, including Guinness and Smirnoff RTDs, which will continue to be produced in Seychelles through long-term licensing and royalty agreements. 

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