KEY POINTS
- Varun Beverages acquires PepsiCo’s bottling operations in Ghana and Tanzania, expanding its African footprint in a $169.6 million deal.
- The acquisition strengthens Varun Beverages’ control over PepsiCo brands in West and East Africa, enhancing its competitive positioning in the region’s beverage industry.
- Led by billionaire Ravi Jaipuria, Varun Beverages aims to optimize production and increase beverage output to serve the growing African market effectively.
Varun Beverages, a multinational company headquartered in India and led by billionaire Ravi Jaipuria, is expanding its presence in Africa. With the recent acquisition of PepsiCo’s bottling operations in Ghana for $15.1 million, the company strengthens its foothold in the region’s competitive beverage industry. This deal is part of a broader $169.6 million purchase agreement covering both Ghana and Tanzania. For Jaipuria, who has a longstanding interest in the African market, the acquisition aligns with his vision of positioning Varun Beverages as a leader in Africa’s fast-growing beverage sector.
This acquisition grants Varun Beverages full control of SBC Beverages Ghana Limited (SBCG), which bottles and distributes PepsiCo’s popular brands like Pepsi, Pepsi Max, 7UP, 7UP FREE, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, and Evervess. Additionally, SBCG produces an energy drink, Cheetah, under its own brand. The company operates a manufacturing facility with two lines in Accra, making it well-equipped to meet local demand and enhance distribution across Ghana. By integrating SBCG’s operations, Varun Beverages plans to leverage its infrastructure to strengthen brand presence and streamline production.
Pepsi bottling operations acquired in Ghana and Tanzania
In addition to the Ghana acquisition, Varun Beverages has also secured the purchase of SBC Tanzania, a move valued at $154.5 million. This acquisition complements its strategy to establish a solid market base in East Africa, allowing it to directly control Pepsi bottling operations in Tanzania. As part of its expansion, Varun Beverages aims to optimize production processes and increase output across both markets. The dual acquisition enhances the company’s operational network and brings popular beverages closer to consumers in both West and East Africa.
With existing operations in countries such as Morocco and Zambia, Varun Beverages has been proactive in Africa since the 1990s. By combining its experience in high-volume beverage production with the facilities in Ghana and Tanzania, Varun Beverages intends to boost production significantly.
Visionary plans for African beverage market growth
Led by Ravi Jaipuria, whose net worth is estimated at $16 billion, Varun Beverages is one of PepsiCo’s largest global franchisees. Jaipuria expressed excitement about the new acquisitions, noting the immense potential for growth in both Ghana and Tanzania. The expansion is expected to enable the company to produce millions of beverage cases annually. Varun Beverages has established a legacy of distributing popular PepsiCo brands globally, and its plans in Africa reflect its commitment to long-term growth in emerging markets.
By integrating SBCG’s and SBC Tanzania’s operations, Varun Beverages not only secures a strategic advantage but also strengthens its ability to serve African markets efficiently and competitively.
