Representatives from Diageo and IBL Group met with the President at State House yesterday to personally inform him about the sale of Diageo's 54.4% shareholding in Seychelles Breweries Limited to Mauritius-based IBL Group.

Diageo will retain ownership of its brands (Guinness, Smirnoff Vodka, and RTDs) currently produced by Seychelles Breweries, which will be licensed under a new long-term license and royalty agreement.

Phoenix Beverages, part of IBL Group, brings significant expertise across the Indian Ocean Islands. This transaction builds on their longstanding partnership with Diageo in Mauritius and demonstrates a commitment to sustainable growth in the region.

The delegation at State House included the President for Diageo Africa Dayalan Nayager,  the MD for SWC (South West and Central Africa) John Musunga, the regional FD for SWC Leo Breen, the GM for Southern Africa who is also the Chairman of Seychelles Breweries Mr Andrew Ross, the MD for Seychelles Breweries Yvonne Mwangi and the Corporate Relations Manager for SBL MaryAnne Ernesta.

IBL was represented by Arnaud Lagesse Chairman of Phoenix Beverage Group, Bernard Theys Executive Director and CEO  and Patrick Rivalland Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer and CFO of Phoenix Beverage Group.

The President extended his congratulations to IBL Group while emphasizing the importance of preserving Seychellois interests such as employment for Seychellois citizens, protecting the investment of the Seychelles Pension Fund, and maintaining the iconic Seybrew brand as part of Seychelles' cultural heritage.

He also expressed his wish for Seychelles Breweries to continue supporting the community through initiatives like the Seychelles Breweries Foundation and other events of national importance, stressing that corporate social responsibility should remain a priority.