Story: Reported by Okafor Joseph and Rita Uzuh for SpringnewsNG Media Limited.
Lagos, Nigeria – July 30, 2025: The Coca-Cola Company has finalized an agreement to sell its Chivita and Hollandia (CHI Limited) brands to UAC of Nigeria Plc, signaling a strategic shift in its Nigerian operations. The landmark acquisition, announced in a regulatory disclosure to the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), is still subject to final regulatory approvals.

According to UAC, the purchase aligns with Coca-Cola’s asset-light strategy, focusing on high-growth brands while divesting from operations that require heavy local management.

“The Coca-Cola system recently announced a $1 billion investment plan in Nigeria over five years and remains committed to this market, provided a stable and enabling business environment is in place,” the company stated.

The move underscores Coca-Cola’s continued long-term commitment to Africa, while signaling a recalibration of its Nigerian portfolio in response to the country’s challenging business landscape.

UAC Sees Growth Potential in Chivita and Hollandia Brands
UAC’s Group Managing Director, Fola Aiyesimoju, highlighted that the acquisition presents an opportunity to expand the legacy of Chivita and Hollandia, two of Nigeria’s most recognized juice and dairy brands.

“We are excited to build on Chivita and Hollandia’s heritage of excellence and innovation. This acquisition represents a strategic step for UAC in deepening our footprint in Nigeria’s food and beverage sector,” Aiyesimoju said.

CHI Limited, the parent company behind the brands, has grown into a category leader in the juice and dairy segments, employing over 5,000 workers nationwide.

Managing Director Eelco Weber noted that the company has achieved major milestones in recent years, earning a Gold-rated Great Place to Work recognition.

“We see a bright future for Chivita and Hollandia under UAC’s leadership. Our employees have been instrumental in driving our success, and we look forward to the next phase of growth,” Weber said.

Market Implications
The transaction reflects the growing trend of strategic realignments in Nigeria’s consumer goods sector, where companies are adopting flexible business models to navigate foreign exchange volatility, rising operational costs, and regulatory uncertainties.

Upon regulatory approval, the acquisition will strengthen UAC’s position in Nigeria’s beverages and dairy market, while allowing Coca-Cola to concentrate on core beverage categories with higher scalability in the region.