The countdown has started towards the commissioning of what is believed to be Africa’s largest brewery.

Located in Onitsha, the famous commercial town in Anambra State, the project is a brainchild of SABMiller, the world’s second biggest brewer with a presence in 32 African countries.

The $100 million dollars (N15 billion) project which took some two years to accomplish will be ready for commissioning by President Goodluck Jonathan in just over a month, according to Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, Chief of Staff to the Anambra State Governor and Commissioner for Planning Budget.
She said in a message sent to an online forum that apart from commissioning Orient Petroleum on August 30, “That same day the President will also commission the SABMiller Brewery Facilities in Onitsha.”

Prof. Okunna described the Onitsha brewery as “another landmark achievement of the Peter Obi Administration that is creating hundreds of jobs helping restore the industrial reputation of Onitsha,” adding: “Indeed, our dear state is getting better. Governor Obi is working round the clock to ensure this.”

Transport & Business Express reports that the brewery is expected to start production in September and to create over five thousand jobs.

While SABMiller holds the controlling share in the project, 22.5 per cent share is held by indigenous entrepreneurs comprising 10 per cent for Anambra State Government and 12.5 per cent for private local investors.

*Photo courtesy Nairaland