Zambian Breweries

Zambian Breweries is a Zambian brewing company based in Lusaka and part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the international brewing group formed through the acquisition of SABMiller. The company is one of Zambia’s principal producers of clear beer and markets a portfolio combining locally established labels with international brands from the wider AB InBev system. The company’s origins trace to Northern Breweries Limited, established in 1963 as a private venture involving South African Breweries and Labatt Breweries of Canada. Brewing operations began at plants in Lusaka and Ndola. In 1968, the Zambian government nationalised the business and divided it into Zambian Breweries in Lusaka and Northern Breweries in Ndola. The Lusaka operation subsequently adopted the Zambian Breweries name. A privatisation process began in 1994, and the company was listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange in 1997. It later expanded its industrial and brand footprint through the acquisition of Northern Breweries in Ndola in 1999, together with the Rhino Lager brand. In 2002, the business diversified beyond brewing by acquiring the Coca-Cola franchise for Zambia and establishing bottling plants in Kitwe and Lusaka. That beverage-bottling activity was later separated from the brewing business: following AB InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller, the African Coca-Cola bottling operations, including the Zambian operation associated with Zambrew, were agreed for sale to The Coca-Cola Company in 2016. Zambian Breweries’ beer portfolio has included Mosi Lager, Eagle Lager, Eagle Maize Lager, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Carling Black Label, Flying Fish, Stella Artois and Budweiser. The range spans mainstream lager, maize-based beer, premium imported or internationally positioned labels, and flavoured or contemporary beer offerings. Mosi Lager is particularly associated with the company’s Zambian identity, while the international labels connect the local business to AB InBev’s global brand architecture. The company remains a significant participant in Zambia’s formal beer market and has been described as holding a dominant position in clear-brew products. Its manufacturing platform is centred on Zambia, with Lusaka serving as the principal corporate and production base and Ndola representing an important part of the company’s historical operating footprint. In July 2022, Zambian Breweries announced an intended US$80 million expansion of its Lusaka plant, signalling continued investment in production capacity and local operations. Zambian Breweries is an active public company, although its commercial business is also integrated into the broader operating and brand structure of AB InBev.

Zambian Breweries developed from Northern Breweries Limited, a private brewing company created in 1963 through a partnership between South African Breweries, which held an 80 percent stake, and Labatt Breweries of Canada, which held the remaining 20 percent. The business established brewing facilities in Lusaka and Ndola, giving it an operating presence in both Zambia’s capital and the Copperbelt region. In 1968, the Zambian government nationalised the company. The nationalised operation was divided between Zambian Breweries in Lusaka and Northern Breweries in Ndola, with the Lusaka business later operating under the Zambian Breweries name. This restructuring established the institutional identity of the company that would eventually become a major participant in Zambia’s packaged beer industry. The company entered a new phase in the 1990s when Zambia began privatising state-owned enterprises. Privatisation of Zambian Breweries started in 1994, and the company secured a listing on the Lusaka Securities Exchange in 1997. Its subsequent growth included a 1999 acquisition of Northern Breweries in Ndola and the Rhino Lager brand. The transaction expanded the company’s production footprint and consolidated important brewing assets that had historically developed separately. In 2002, Zambian Breweries diversified into soft drinks by acquiring the Coca-Cola franchise for Zambia. It established bottling plants in Kitwe and Lusaka, broadening the business beyond beer. The bottling operation later became part of the African Coca-Cola operations associated with Zambrew. In December 2016, following Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller, the parties agreed to sell the African Coca-Cola bottling operations, including the Zambian operation, to The Coca-Cola Company. This separated the Coca-Cola bottling interests from the longer-term brewing identity of Zambian Breweries. The company’s beer portfolio has grown to include Mosi Lager, Eagle Lager, Eagle Maize Lager, Castle Lager, Castle Lite, Carling Black Label, Flying Fish, Stella Artois and Budweiser. The portfolio reflects two complementary strategies: maintaining strong local relevance through brands such as Mosi and Eagle while offering internationally recognised brands connected to the AB InBev group. The company has been described as having a virtual monopoly in Zambia’s clear-brew market, indicating a particularly strong position in mainstream packaged lager. Zambian Breweries became part of the AB InBev group after AB InBev acquired SABMiller. AB InBev describes itself as one of the world’s largest brewers, with a portfolio spanning hundreds of brands and operations in numerous countries. Within that structure, Zambian Breweries remains a locally based operating and manufacturing business serving the Zambian market. In July 2022, the company announced an US$80 million expansion of its Lusaka plant. The announcement represented a major capacity and infrastructure commitment in Zambia and indicated an intention to strengthen domestic production. Zambian Breweries continues to operate as an active public company listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange under the symbol ZABR.

1. 2022Lusaka plant expansion announced

   Zambian Breweries announces a planned US$80 million expansion of its Lusaka plant.

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2. 2017Corporate governance award

   The Lusaka Securities Exchange recognises Zambian Breweries with a corporate governance award.

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3. 2016Sale of Zambian Coca-Cola bottling interests agreed

   After AB InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller, the African Coca-Cola bottling operations associated with the Zambian business are agreed for sale to The Coca-Cola Company.

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4. 2002Entry into Coca-Cola bottling

   The company acquires the Coca-Cola franchise for Zambia and establishes bottling plants in Kitwe and Lusaka.

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5. 1999Acquisition of Northern Breweries

   Zambian Breweries acquires Northern Breweries in Ndola and the Rhino Lager brand.

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6. 1997Lusaka Securities Exchange listing

   Zambian Breweries becomes listed on the Lusaka Securities Exchange under the ticker ZABR.

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7. 1994Privatisation begins

   The privatisation of Zambian Breweries begins as part of Zambia’s broader transition away from state ownership.

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8. 1968Nationalisation and creation of Zambian Breweries

   The Zambian government nationalises the brewing company and divides its operations between Zambian Breweries in Lusaka and Northern Breweries in Ndola.

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9. 1963Northern Breweries is established

   Northern Breweries Limited is formed as a partnership between South African Breweries and Labatt Breweries of Canada and begins operations in Lusaka and Ndola.

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A leading Zambian brewer combining locally rooted beer brands, especially Mosi Lager, with widely recognised international labels distributed through the AB InBev portfolio.

• Mosi LagerMainstream lager

  Mosi Lager is one of Zambian Breweries’ best-known locally associated beer brands. It anchors the company’s Zambian identity and represents its role as a domestic producer serving the mainstream clear-beer market.

• Eagle LagerMainstream lager

  Eagle Lager is part of the company’s mainstream beer portfolio and is marketed alongside other clear-beer products serving the Zambian mass market.

• Eagle Maize LagerMaize lager

  Eagle Maize Lager extends the Eagle range with a maize-based formulation. It forms part of Zambian Breweries’ locally oriented beer offering.

• Castle LagerLager

  Castle Lager is an established South African-origin beer brand included in Zambian Breweries’ wider portfolio of clear beers and connected to the company’s historical relationship with South African Breweries.

• Castle LiteLight lager

  Castle Lite is the lighter lager variant within the Castle family represented in the Zambian Breweries portfolio.

• Carling Black LabelLager

  Carling Black Label is an internationally recognised lager brand included among the company’s clear-beer offerings in Zambia.

• Flying FishFlavoured beer

  Flying Fish represents a more contemporary and flavour-oriented part of the portfolio, broadening Zambian Breweries’ offer beyond conventional lager styles.

• Stella ArtoisPremium lager

  Stella Artois is a premium international beer brand included in the company’s Zambian portfolio through its relationship with the AB InBev brand system.

• BudweiserInternational lager

  Budweiser is an internationally distributed lager brand represented in Zambian Breweries’ range and gives the local portfolio a prominent global label.

• 2022US$80 million Lusaka plant expansionStrategy

  The company identified additional investment in its Zambian manufacturing platform as a priority.

  What changed. Zambian Breweries announced a planned US$80 million expansion of its Lusaka plant.

  Aftermath. The announcement signalled an intention to increase production capacity and reinforce the company’s domestic operating base.

  Planned investment. US$80 million announced expansion (July 2022 announcement)

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• 2016Sale of African Coca-Cola bottling operationsM&A

  AB InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller required changes to the combined group’s African beverage interests.

  What changed. AB InBev agreed to sell the African Coca-Cola bottling operations, including the Zambian operation associated with Zambrew, to The Coca-Cola Company.

  Aftermath. The transaction reduced the connection between the Zambian brewing business and Coca-Cola bottling while leaving Zambian Breweries focused on beer under the AB InBev group.

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• 2002Diversification into Coca-Cola bottlingStrategy

  Zambian Breweries pursued diversification beyond alcoholic beverages and acquired the Coca-Cola franchise for Zambia.

  What changed. The company established Coca-Cola bottling plants in Kitwe and Lusaka.

  Aftermath. The bottling business later became part of the African Coca-Cola operations agreed for sale to The Coca-Cola Company after AB InBev acquired SABMiller.

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• 1999Acquisition of Northern Breweries and Rhino LagerM&A

  Zambian Breweries sought to consolidate its historical brewing footprint by acquiring Northern Breweries in Ndola and the Rhino Lager brand.

  What changed. The company completed the acquisition, bringing the Ndola operation and Rhino Lager into its business.

  Aftermath. The transaction expanded the company’s operating base and strengthened its position in Zambia’s beer industry.

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• 2022Zambian Breweries announces US$80 million Lusaka plant expansion

  The company announced a substantial planned expansion of its Lusaka production plant, intended to increase local brewing capacity and support the Zambian business.

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• 2017Zambian Breweries receives Lusaka Securities Exchange corporate governance recognition

  The Lusaka Securities Exchange recognised Zambian Breweries with a corporate governance award.

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• 2016AB InBev agrees sale of African Coca-Cola bottling operations

  After acquiring SABMiller, AB InBev agreed to sell the African Coca-Cola bottling operations, including the Zambian operation associated with Zambrew, to The Coca-Cola Company.

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• Zambian Breweries is reported as a leading clear-beer producer in Zambia

  Reference material describes the company as holding a virtual monopoly in Zambia’s clear-brew segment.

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1. Zambian Breweries
2. Zambian Breweries official website