Guala Closures expands global footprint with new manufacturing facility in Lagos

NIGERIA – Guala Closures, a global leader in producing closures for spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, has inaugurated its new greenfield manufacturing facility in West Africa, located in the Lagos Free Zone.

The company stated that the country’s growing spirits and other beverages markets, fueled by an expanding middle class with increasing disposable income and a demand for premium products, created significant opportunities for its operations.

The Nigerian plant will serve West African markets, supplying anti-counterfeiting safety closures for spirit bottles, including innovative features developed specifically for this market.

The plant’s construction, spanning nearly 5,000 square meters, was completed in a record 22 weeks and reached operational start-up by the end of 2024.

The facility will be further developed in the following years and is expected to create significant employment opportunities for the local community.  

The opening of the Lagos facility reinforces Guala Closures’ long-term vision for growth and leadership in Africa, further positioning the company as a key partner in the region’s industrial and economic evolution.

Andrea Lodetti, CEO of Guala Closures, said, “This investment underscores our commitment to advancing in the African market and creating value for our partners. Our global presence and in-depth knowledge of local markets allow us to stay close to our international customers, addressing their specific needs in every region with customised solutions and outstanding service.”

The new facility comes as Nigeria’s beverage industry faces an increasing challenge of the rise of counterfeit and adulterated drinks.

According to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), Nigeria emerged as the largest consumer of soft drinks in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 53 billion litres consumed in 2024.

However, the rising demand in Nigeria’s beverage market is accompanied by increasing concerns over counterfeit drinks and public health risks.

In 2021, at least 10 people lost their lives and over 50 others suffered severe kidney damage in Kano State after consuming substandard juices.  

In 2023, Ogun State recorded another tragedy when eight individuals died and 11 were left critically ill after consuming contaminated alcoholic drinks. 

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has intensified efforts to combat the menace. In a major clampdown, the agency seized and destroyed counterfeit drinks worth N750 million (approximately US$467,400) in the South-East and arrested 10 individuals.  

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