EABL CFO Risper Ohaga Resigns as Brewer Prepares for Asahi Takeover  Board says the CFO and executive director will step down in June 2026.

East African Breweries Plc (EABL) has announced the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, Risper Ohaga, marking a significant leadership transition at the regional brewing giant at a time of major ownership change.

In a public notice, the EABL board said Ms Ohaga will step down from her roles effective 30 June 2026 to pursue interests outside the group, bringing to a close a tenure that began in February 2020.

The board credited Ms Ohaga with steering the company through a period of economic disruption and recovery, including the Covid-19 pandemic, while strengthening financial controls, governance and investor relations. 

During her tenure, EABL optimised its balance sheet and funding strategy, enabling the brewer to deliver resilient performance despite a challenging operating environment.

Ms Ohaga, a celebrated finance leader in the region, has received several industry accolades in recent years, including regional leadership and finance awards, and has been recognised for advancing inclusive leadership and sustainability initiatives. EABL Finance also won multiple financial reporting awards under her leadership.

The board said her replacement will be announced separately and thanked her for her visionary leadership and commitment to the business and its stakeholders.

Ownership transition backdrop

Ms Ohaga’s departure comes as EABL prepares for a new chapter following Diageo’s decision to exit its shareholding in the company, paving the way for Japan’s Asahi Group Holdings to become the majority owner, subject to regulatory approvals.

Diageo, which has controlled EABL for decades, is selling its stake as part of a broader strategic shift to simplify its global portfolio and reallocate capital to priority markets and brands. 

The British spirits multinational has said the move allows it to adopt a more asset-light approach in certain regions, while maintaining a presence through brand licensing and long-term commercial agreements.

Asahi’s planned acquisition marks a major entry into the African beverages market for the Japanese brewer. 

The group has indicated it intends to build on EABL’s strong local brands and production footprint across East Africa, while leveraging its global brewing expertise.