South Africa’s Competition Commission on Friday gave its green light for a partnership deal between AB InBev and Diageo in South Africa.
South African Breweries (SAB), the local unit of Anheuser-Busch InBev will get the franchise rights to manufacture, market and distribute Diageo’s Smirnoff ready-to-drink (RTD) brands in South Africa. The licensing deal includes Smirnoff Storm, Guarana, Spin Cooler, Pine Twist, and Berry Twist but excluding Smirnoff vodka. SAB will also produce Guinness products but excluding Guinness Foreign Extra Stout and Guinness Malta brands, which would still be imported from Ireland.