The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has approved the sale of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) to UAC of Nigeria PLC. The approval officially completes one of Nigeria’s most notable consumer goods transactions in recent years.
In a statement released on Friday, UAC said the transaction marks a major milestone in its expansion strategy within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector. The acquisition gives UAC ownership of some of Nigeria’s most popular beverage and dairy brands, including Chivita juice and Hollandia milk.
The approval follows an earlier announcement made on July 30, 2025, when both parties confirmed that an agreement had been reached for the sale. With the regulatory process now concluded, both companies are set to begin a transition that will see CHI Limited integrated into the UAC group.
Eelco Weber, Managing Director of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), said the team is pleased to have secured regulatory clearance for the deal. “We look forward to a smooth transition and to seeing Chivita|Hollandia thrive under UAC’s ownership,” he said.
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Fola Aiyesimoju, Group Managing Director of UAC, described the acquisition as a strategic step for the company. He said the addition of Chivita|Hollandia strengthens UAC’s leadership in the Nigerian consumer goods market. “We are excited to officially welcome the Chivita|Hollandia team and brands into the UAC family,” Aiyesimoju said. “We look forward to building on their strong legacy and market leadership.”
The acquisition also marks a new chapter in the evolving ownership of CHI Limited. In 2016, Coca-Cola Company acquired a 40 percent minority stake in CHI Limited, later taking full ownership in 2019.
The acquisition allows UAC to strengthen its presence across several FMCG segments. These include dairy, beverages, snacks, and packaged foods. The company plans to leverage its wide distribution network, retail partnerships, and manufacturing capacity to drive new growth.
Analysts view the deal as part of a growing trend in Nigeria’s business landscape. Local conglomerates are increasingly reclaiming ownership of consumer brands once controlled by multinational corporations. By taking over CHI Limited, UAC restores Nigerian ownership to one of the country’s most recognisable beverage brands.
In recent years, local manufacturers have become more competitive. They have improved product quality, expanded production facilities, and built stronger distribution networks. Many are also connecting more effectively with Nigerian consumers through pricing and cultural relevance.
A clear example is Planet Bottling Company, a homegrown firm behind American Cola. The brand has gained significant ground in a market once dominated by global soft drink giants.
Rite Foods Limited has also disrupted the non-alcoholic beverage category. Its Bigi Cola brand continues to win market share in the carbonated drinks segment. The company’s Fearless Energy Drink has also grown rapidly, competing directly with major international labels in the energy drink market.
These shifts underscore the increasing prominence of Nigerian-owned brands. Local firms are no longer just participants; they are shaping the future of the consumer goods industry. Analysts say UAC’s acquisition of CHI Limited strengthens this momentum. It positions the company at the centre of a new phase of growth, innovation, and competition led by Nigerian businesses.
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Interestingly, CHI Limited and UAC Foods have a shared history of competition. Both companies operated in one of Nigeria’s most recognisable on-the-go food categories, the beef sausage roll market.
CHI introduced its Super Bite brand as a challenger to UAC Foods’ iconic Gala sausage roll. For more than five decades, Gala has maintained a dominant presence in Nigeria’s snack segment, becoming a staple for commuters and quick-service consumers.
Analysts believe the new ownership structure could reshape competition in this category. The deal may lead to brand consolidation or a strategic repositioning within UAC’s snack portfolio.
With Super Bite and Gala now under one corporate umbrella, UAC is expected to explore synergies across production, distribution, and pricing. These efficiencies could help the company strengthen its leadership in the convenience snacks market.