Kenyan business executive John Musunga has been appointed as the head of Diageo Africa’s recently established South, West and Central Africa (SWC) division.
In a statement, Diageo Africa President Dayalan Nayager commended Musunga as an esteemed and accomplished leader with an extensive track record spanning over two decades.
“As we launch the new South, West and Central Africa Market, I am delighted to announce the appointment of John Musunga, currently CEO and MD Guinness Nigeria as inaugural Managing Director, effective January 1, 2024,” Nayager said.
He went on to say that in the new model, the newly formed SWC business market will comprise two territories covering Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, as well as West and Central Africa; including the business in Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, South Africa, Seychelles, among others.
On his part, Musunga expressed his excitement for the appointment as the first Managing Director for SWC Africa. “I am thrilled for the business of Guinness Nigeria, which i will be leaving in the very capable hands of a strong and committed executive management team, now led by Adebayo Alli, a truly exceptional and visionary business leader,” said Musunga.
As part of a new operating model adopted by Diageo Africa, Musunga, who has been heading the firm’s Nigeria subsidiary, Guinness Nigeria, since October 2022 and also serves as a non-executive director at East African Breweries Limited (EABL), is now set to assume the leadership role at Diageo SWC as the managing director, based in London.
In his place, the Board of Guinness Nigeria has appointed Adebayo Alli as the incoming Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, effective January 1, 2024.
“I am confident that Bayo and the management team will take the business of Guinness Nigeria to greater heights in the coming years,” said Musunga.
Musunga joined Diageo in 2021 as the MD of Kenya Breweries Limited. In 2022 he was appointed Guinness Nigeria MD where he steered the Nigeria business through immense socio-economic volatility while delivering performance.
The firm has reorganized its operating region into three markets: EABL, which remains unchanged; Guinness Nigeria, marketing beer and mainstream spirits and the new SWC hub.
