The Coca-Cola Company to Acquire Anheuser-Busch InBev’s Soft Drinks Interest in Africa
The Coca-Cola Company has agreed to acquire Anheuser-Busch InBev’s 54.5% equity stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa for US$3.15 billion. CCBA includes the countries of South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ghana, Mayotte and Comoros.
In addition, The Coca-Cola Company is to acquire AB InBev’s interest in bottling operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, El Salvador and Honduras for an undisclosed amount. The transactions are subject to the relevant regulatory and minority approvals and are expected to close by the end of 2017.
The Coca-Cola Company plans to hold all of these territories temporarily until they can be refranchised to other partners. The Coca-Cola Company’s intent is to account for the acquired stakes as a discontinued operation for reporting purposes.
Carlos Brito, chief executive of AB InBev, says: “We are happy that we have been able to reach this agreement with The Coca-Cola Company in a timely manner and with a satisfactory outcome for all parties.”
Muhtar Kent, chairman and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company, comments: “We will move forward with our long-term strategic plan in these important growth markets. We are continuing negotiations with a number of parties who are highly qualified and interested in these bottling territories and look forward to refranchising these territories as soon as practical following regulatory approval.”
