South Africa’s Competition Tribunal gives its approval to AB InBev, SABMiller merger

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South Africa’s Competition Tribunal has given its nod to the merger of Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller.

The approval, however, comes with conditions designed to address both public interest and competition concerns arising from the merger.

The brewer of Stella Artois, Budweiser, among others has spent months lobbying governments around the world to secure approval for the merger. In South Africa, AB InBev made concessions which included creating a 1 billion rand fund ($64m) that will support the local beer industry and protect jobs.

It also agreed to sell SABMiller’s 26% stake in Distell Group, a local South African cider and spirits maker within three years of closing the deal.

Securing approval from the South African Competition Tribunal is the last hurdle in a lengthy process the brewer had to overcome in that country.

AB InBev said it has now secured approval in 16 jurisdictions and will continue talks with governments in the US and China.

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