Nigeria | Nigerian Breweries, the country’s major brewer and 56 percent owned by Heineken, scaled up the remuneration of its top management by at least 25.2 percent last year. This came despite the covid pandemic battering its business and slashing its profit by more than half, the website Premium Times reports.

South Africa | It took brewers by surprise that the Government, without a warning, increased the excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products by 8 percent in its 2021 budget. The government argued this was to discourage their consumption and promote good public health.

South Africa | President Cyril Ramaphosa has eased some restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, including lifting an unpopular ban on alcohol sales. The announcement came as Mr Ramaphosa hailed the arrival of the first shipment of vaccines – one million AstraZeneca doses – on 1 February 2021, the BBC reports.

South Africa | The third national lockdown could devastate the craft brewing industry. But even the Big Brewers are not immune: AB-InBev-owned SAB laid off 550 temporary workers, due to the associated ban on the sale of alcohol, media reported on 24 January 2021. SAB also abandoned investments to the order of USD 165 million for 2021.

South Africa | AB-InBev’s local division, SA Breweries (SAB), will challenge the country’s ban on alcohol sales in court, saying the measure to contain the coronavirus is unconstitutional.

South Africa | AB-InBev-owned SAB will no longer be investing ZAR 2.5 billion (USD 140 million) in its annual capital and infrastructure upgrade programme this year. Next year’s ZAR 2.5 billion capital expenditure is also under review.

South Africa | To contain the spread of covid-19, the government has introduced new restrictions, including another ban on alcohol sales and a night-time curfew.

South Africa | Beer lovers will be euphoric: After nine weeks of near-total lockdown, alcohol sales were permitted on 2 June 2020 again, but for home consumption only, and under strict conditions on specified days and for limited hours.

South Africa | The nation entered into lockdown on 27 March 2020. All are expected to stay at home for three weeks while breweries are shut down.

South Africa | It came as a shock to craft brewers that as of 27 March 2020 they are not allowed to brew or to sell any beer for three weeks. Having suffered through the recession of 2019 already, it is feared that once the lockdown is lifted many will struggle to remain in business.