Brookside targets Nigeria milk market in expansion plan

Brookside Dairy Limited is seeking a presence in Nigeria as the milk processor deepens its Africa expansion and cuts reliance on the Kenyan market.

The Nigeria Chamber of Commerce disclosed that Brookside, which is associated with the Kenyatta family, wants to establish a dairy plant in the western African country, making it one of the few local companies to seek a foothold in that region.

This is the latest country in the radar of Brookside Dairy that recently announced plans to acquire a 20 per cent stake in Ethiopia’s Elemtu Dairy adding to its operations in Tanzania and Uganda.

“We are happy that the firm’s chairman Muhoho Kenyatta visited our country to assess the possibility of investing in dairy sector, we are certain he will establish a dairy plant in Nigeria and we believe it will play a key role in boosting our dairy industry,” said Nigerian Chamber of Commerce national president Alh Muhammad Abubakar. 

Mr Abubakar, who spoke during a recent visit by Nigerian business community in Nairobi, said Mr Muhoho paid a visit to Nigeria and held talks with key stakeholders as Brookside plans to roll out a milk plant.

Nigeria and Kenya have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade and investment in tourism, agriculture, oil and gas sectors.

The two governments also agreed on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders and conclusion of agreements on double taxation.

Mr Abubakar said that Brookside would be instrumental in improving quantity and diversity of dairy products in Nigeria which is the latest new market being explored by the local firm in its aggressive expansion plan.

A local newspaper in Ethiopia says Brookside signed an MoU with Elemtu Integrated Milk Industry. The paper reports that the Ethiopian firm has leased a 20-hectare land from the Sululta Municipality to set up the dairy plant, 25km north of Addis Ababa.

The two firms have already discussed how to develop a milk plant, expected to begin operations in November.