Stakeholders in Nigeria’s brewing ecosystem have intensified discussions around the proposed 2026 to 2028 excise duty framework, as the Beer Sectoral Group actively engaged the Minister of State for Industry at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh.

Revealing this on his LinkedIn, the minister explained that the engagement formed part of ongoing consultations on excise policy, regulatory direction, and the long term sustainability of Nigeria’s brewing industry.

The strategic meeting brought together representatives from Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria, International Breweries, alongside policy and tax specialists from PwC Nigeria, thereby clearly reflecting the weight and urgency of industry concern over the fiscal direction of the sector.

At the centre of the engagement was the proposed excise framework for 2026 to 2028, particularly the structure of the ad valorem tax regime, the implementation of tax stamps, and the expansion of traceability systems.

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Consequently, industry players presented data backed projections outlining how certain fiscal adjustments could significantly influence production costs, employment levels, investment appetite, and the stability of the broader brewing value chain.

Responding to the concerns, Enoh recognised the extensive consultations already undertaken with the Tariff Review Board and other government institutions.

However, he maintained that while government must continue to strengthen national revenue generation, policy makers must simultaneously safeguard jobs, stimulate investment, and sustain industrial growth across the manufacturing sector.

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The minister stressed that these priorities can indeed coexist if fiscal policy is carefully calibrated. According to him, excise measures must remain balanced and predictable to support long term business planning, while regulatory tools such as traceability frameworks should deliver compliance objectives without creating avoidable operational pressure for law abiding manufacturers.

He further emphasised the need for regulatory systems to remain efficient, transparent, and firmly aligned with Nigeria’s economic priorities. In addition, Enoh urged stronger collaboration between the brewing industry and the ministry in advancing the 18 month Made in Nigeria campaign, which he described as a deliberate public private effort to boost local manufacturing, rebuild consumer confidence, and accelerate industrial capacity.

Reinforcing the broader policy direction, the minister stated that the Nigeria Industrial Policy is designed to permanently shift the country from a purely extractive economic model to a value adding industrial nation.

He reiterated the ministry’s commitment to sustained dialogue with industry stakeholders, noting that continued engagement and responsible partnership will ultimately play a decisive role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s industrial landscape.