Diageo Agrees to Sell EABL Shareholding to Asahi
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTIONTHIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE …
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"), AND IS DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF MAR
LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / December 17, 2025 / Diageo enters into agreement to sell its shareholding inEast African Breweries plc ("EABL") to Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd ("Asahi")
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Announcement today of agreement by Diageo to sell to Asahi its 65% shareholding in EABL, and its shareholding in the Kenyan spirits business, UDVK.
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Disposals consistent with Diageo's strategy of appropriate and selective disposals of non-core assets, strengthening the balance sheet and supporting our previously shared commitment to de-lever.
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Estimated net proceeds after tax and transaction costs of $2.3bn, equating to a multiple of 17x adjusted EBITDA, resulting in an implied enterprise value for 100% of EABL of $4.8bn.
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Transaction will de-lever Diageo's balance sheet by c.0.25x.
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Diageo has committed to enter into long-term licensing agreements with EABL to secure the continued production and distribution of Guinness, local spirits and ready-to-drink brands, as well as the distribution of Diageo international spirits.
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The acquisition of EABL represents the first time a major Japanese brewing business has made an investment of this size in an African alcohol beverage business. Asahi is a strong, responsible and experienced steward for the next phase of growth for EABL.
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Subject to regulatory approvals, completion is expected in the second half of calendar year 2026.
Today, Diageo announces that it has entered into an agreement to sell its 100% shareholding in Diageo Kenya Limited, which holds 65.00% of the shares in EABL to Asahi, including its shareholding in the Kenyan spirits business, UDVK. Asahi is a Japanese listed global beverage leader offering a diverse portfolio of brands centred on beer, alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as food. Included in this transaction is Diageo's 53.68% directly owned shareholding in UDVK, a Kenya based spirits producer and importer. EABL, which owns the other 46.32%, has management control and fully consolidates UDVK.

