2024-03-15 22:52:57
What could have been a failed operation is now a breath of fresh air for SMEs suffocated by galloping inflation and the drop in production. Since the takeover of Guinness by the SABC, the participation of SMEs has increased by 3%, allowing them to maintain their workforce and pay salaries regularly. Local SMEs are scrambling to gain market share.
The government appeared hesitant when announcing negotiations over the SABC’s takeover of Guinness, with many fearing unfair competition and a drop in tax revenue. It is quite the opposite, because according to certain business leaders, all the commitments made by the breweries have been respected. Projects are underway with their multiplier effects on growth in the country’s main cities: Douala, Yaoundé, Bafoussam and Garoua. All this under the supervision of the Minister of Commerce who is keeping an eye on things. Indeed, in front of the deputies on June 23, 2023, the Minister of Commerce reassured the Cameroonian people of his commitment to ensure, in perfect understanding with the CEMAC commission, strict compliance with the commitments made by the SABC, in particular the investments planned in the production tool, the expansion and improvement of the distribution network, the preservation and creation of jobs, etc. One year after the buyout, the findings are satisfactory.
Extension of factories in Yaoundé, Bafoussam and Garoua
One year to the day after the takeover of Guinness by the SABC, the group has already invested nearly 45 billion FCFA: extension of factories outside Douala for the production of Guinness products, with work underway in Yaoundé , Garoua and Bafoussam. This is more than 500 new jobs created, according to a source at the breweries. The SABC group is building a bottling line of 35,000 bottles per hour.
Rehabilitation of the Guinness factory in Douala
In anticipation of the increase in demand for GCSA bottles and racks, SOCAVER’s No. 1 oven was rehabilitated after several years of shutdown, at a cost of 4 billion FCFA. Purchases of 23 million Guinness bottles, amounting to 4.8 billion FCFA, were made over the period from June 2023 to February 2024.
Increase in tax revenue
As soon as the acquisition by the SABC was announced, some economists feared a drop in tax revenues, an argument put forward by opponents of the operation. This actually allowed the State of Cameroon to collect more than 51 billion FCFA in taxes, or 14.5 billion FCFA in registration fees for the transfer contract paid by Castel, 36.3 billion of FCFA in capital gains tax and 37.4 million in registration fees linked in particular to the transfer of GCSA shares held by minority shareholders, paid by Diageo.
Import-substitution policy
Strong contribution from local service providers, the participation of local supplier companies increased by 3%. Despite the ravages of the armyworm, the attacks of seed-eating birds and the destruction of sorghum plantations by pachyderms, the SABC is continuing its program aimed at supporting farmers and growers in sorghum production.
The optimal commissioning of SOCAVER’s No. 1 oven, for a work cost of 4 billion FCFA, promotes the return to production of juices in glass bottles. Revealed since February 3, the new range of soft drinks from the Top brand, packaged in 50 cl returnable glass packaging, is now marketable.
Stéphane Descazeaud, Managing Director of the SABC, declares: “At a time when the world is drowning in plastic waste, and rich countries are opting for zero plastic policies, Boissons du Cameroun has chosen to anticipate and launch into the battle for glass, in order to make our world more ecological, more beautiful, that’s what being a leader is all about! Our goal is ambitious: to help create a “greener” world by replacing PET (plastic, Editor’s note) bottles in bars with glass. It won’t be easy and we will have to fight against the competition, but we have to be determined, it’s our reason for being, it’s our vision! »