UAC completes acquisition of Chivita|Hollandia, expands FMCG footprint

UAC of Nigeria PLC (UAC) has finalized its acquisition of Chivita/Hollandia (CHI Limited), following regulatory approval from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

The deal, first announced on July 30, 2025, transfers ownership of one of Nigeria’s foremost food and beverage companies, best known for its Chivita juice and Hollandia dairy brands, to UAC.

Eelco Weber, Managing Director of CHI Limited, welcomed the development, noting that the business is well-positioned for growth under its new ownership. “We are pleased to have received regulatory approval for this transaction. We look forward to a smooth transition and to seeing Chivita/Hollandia thrive under UAC’s ownership,” he said.

Fola Aiyesimoju, Group Managing Director of UAC, described the acquisition as a strategic milestone for the group. “We are excited to officially welcome the Chivita|Hollandia team and brands into the UAC family, and we are eager to work together to build on their strong legacy and market leadership,” he stated.

The acquisition strengthens UAC’s position in Nigeria’s fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, giving the group a larger stake in the rapidly growing juice and dairy segments. CHI Limited, with its flagship Chivita and Hollandia brands, dominates categories such as fruit juice, evaporated milk, and drinking yoghurt.

For UAC, the transaction aligns with its growth strategy of expanding its brand portfolio and leveraging established distribution networks. For The Coca-Cola Company, the divestment reflects a shift toward an asset-light model globally, even as it reaffirms its $1 billion investment commitment to Nigeria over the next five years.

The announcement coincides with UAC’s recently released half-year 2025 results, which showed a 33 percent year-on-year revenue jump to N110.4 billion, representing 56 percent of its 2024 full-year turnover. Operating profit nearly doubled to N12.59 billion, while pre-tax profit declined 25 percent to N11.1 billion due to the absence of last year’s foreign exchange gains.

Investor sentiment has remained strong. UAC’s share price has surged 134 percent year-to-date as of October 3, 2025, including a 10 percent intraday spike on Friday, likely reflecting optimism around the Chivita|Hollandia deal and the company’s growth outlook.

ALSO READ FROM: NIGERIA TRIBUNE