The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has said that the Intafact Beverages Limited brewery in Onitsha—commonly known as the SABMiller brewery—remains the state’s single largest source of revenue and a major contributor to local employment.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Obi addressed criticisms surrounding the government’s investment in the brewery during his tenure.
He passionately defended the decision, calling it one of the most impactful and transformative economic ventures in Anambra’s history.
“If I tell you what I suffered for that brewery to be built in Anambra State, you will not believe it,” Obi said.
“I had to go out trying to attract business to Anambra State. The biggest revenue earner in Anambra State is our brewery.”
Commissioned on August 30, 2012, the Onitsha-based Intafact Beverages Limited started as a greenfield investment by SABMiller, now part of AB InBev, and was later integrated into International Breweries Plc in December 2017.
Initially funded with over US$100 million, an additional US$110 million was invested in 2014 to triple its production capacity to 2.1 million hectolitres annually.
Under Obi’s administration, the Anambra State Government invested approximately ₦2 billion (about US$12.6 million)for a 10% equity stake in the project—an investment he defended as strategic and socially impactful.
In response to concerns that the government’s stake had diminished in value, Obi countered that the brewery’s tangible economic benefits outweighed any valuation debate.
“I wish other people in Nigeria invested in something that ‘went down’ that is not smart,” he said.
“I said the biggest revenue source is that brewery.”
He went on to highlight the brewery’s broad socioeconomic impact.
“That brewery is employing at least directly 500 Anambra people. That brewery is at least giving food to over 5,000 Anambrayans – those who use that business, distributors, truck drivers, everything,” Obi said.
The Onitsha plant, now considered one of the most productive SABMiller/International Breweries facilities in Nigeria, produces several flagship brands including Hero Lager, Budweiser, Castle Milk Stout, Grand Malt, and Beta Malt.
Obi concluded by comparing the narrative around the brewery in Anambra to similar investments elsewhere in Nigeria:
“They have the biggest brewery in Ogun State. Have you ever heard anybody say in Ogun State, ‘Oh, the brewery is this?’ They have a bigger brewery in Ogun State.”
By Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
