Western multinationals exit Nigeria, Asian and local companies take over

Asian and local businesses are filling the hole left by US and European multinationals leaving Nigeria, according to a report by Bloomberg.

Nigeria’s population strength presents a big market for consumer goods, but serious economic issues like rising inflation, declining currency value, widespread insecurity, and power shortages are forcing US and European multinational corporations out of the country.

However, Asian and local businesses are filling the hole left by major international corporations leaving Nigeria.

Tolaram Group Inc. of Singapore purchased the majority of Diageo Plc’s shares in Guinness Nigeria Plc last week. Local company The Fouani Group now runs a diaper and sanitary pad production in the same location where Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble Co. closed a $300 million unit producing comparable goods.

Similarly, Fidson Healthcare is picking up the slack created by GSK’s departure by expanding its range and exporting its products.

Since becoming the president, President Bola Tinubu has introduced several policies, including fuel subsidy removal and currency depreciation, aimed at boosting government revenue and revitalizing the ailing economy.

However, these policies, criticized by many for poor implementation, have resulted in a hemorrhaging economy.

For instance, the naira has fluctuated wildly in recent months and has dropped 56% against the dollar over the past year, more than any other African currency.

Hence, companies that rely on imported goods, raw materials, or equipment experience heightened costs, resulting in decreased profit margins.

While the exits reflect how challenging the Nigerian consumer market has become, they also show the success of companies like Hayat and Tolaram. These firms have effectively adapted to the local market conditions, turning their brands into household names, according to Bloomberg.

Domestic companies and foreign firms now focus on sourcing raw materials locally and manufacturing in Nigeria, thereby avoiding the currency risk that has driven some foreign companies away.

For companies like Tolaram, accustomed to operating in challenging environments such as Indonesia, the key has been to localize as many costs as possible.

This strategy has helped turn Indomie instant noodles into one of Nigeria’s most popular brands and facilitated joint ventures with US cereal and snack maker Kellanova and Danish dairy giant Arla Foods.

Tolaram operates 24 “fully backwardly integrated” plants in Nigeria, producing their raw materials and even establishing their oil palm plantations. In contrast, GSK imported its products.

However, this doesn’t mean that local firms aren’t facing challenges. The departure of firms such as Kimberly-Clark Corp., Sanofi SA, and Bayer AG is undermining Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to revitalize the struggling economy.

But in challenging environments there is also opportunity, said Girish Sharma, an executive director at Tolaram, who emphasized the company’s belief in Nigeria’s potential.