This blog post was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Part of UK in Ethiopia

11th January 2012

Beer, a waterfall and Britain’s biggest investment in Ethiopia

Yesterday I participated in a press conference to mark Diageo’s purchase of the Meta Abo brewery from the Government of Ethiopia. With a mountain forming the backdrop and its own waterfall, this has to be one of the most beautiful settings for a brewery anywhere in the world.

Ambassadoe Dorey with Nick Blazquez, President of Diageo Africa

This is Britain’s largest ever single investment in Ethiopia and the first here by a FTSE 100 company. It is also a great example of both governments and a private sector company working closely together to achieve success. And it is a winning combination of local knowledge from an iconic Ethiopian brand and international expertise from the world’s leading premium drinks company. More than that, Diageo will bring its track record of ethical business, good governance, diversity, transparency and sustainability to the deal – including clean water projects that benefit a million Africans annually.

site of Meta brewery

I hope that other UK companies operating in appropriate sectors will witness the success of Diageo and other British companies doing business here and come and take a look at Africa’s second most populous market – one that has had enviable growth rates for the past few years. Our next big commercial event will be the UK Education Exhibition and Conference in Addis Ababa on 22-24 March.

3 comments on “Beer, a waterfall and Britain’s biggest investment in Ethiopia

  1. Hello, Legesse Barenga.

    My name is Warren Currier, I live in Boston Massachusetts, and I am interested is building a business in Ethiopia.

    If you’d like to discuss some ideas with the intent of mutually benefiting please contact me at your convenience.

    Best regards,

    Warren

    warrencurrier@gmail.com

  2. Dear Greg Dorey,

    I am a British subject of Ethiopian origin. I am very much interested in promoting British companies business in Ethiopia. I have over 20 years experience in export sales and wish to focus on Ethiopian market taking into account the presence of Chinese in Ethiopia.

    I have high level contacts in Ethiopia and wish to use this to secure business for British companies and of course make business for myself.

    Could you please send me some information about your forth coming Education Exhibition and Conference in Addis Ababa on 23 – 25 Feb 2012. How many companies will participate in this exhibition? Is it possible to obtain the contact details of the participants so that I can discuss with them.

    I am delighted that Meta Abo has become a British.

    Legesse Barenga (DTLLS Education, B.Sc.Eng, M.Sc. Eng.) : 30 Tysoe Avenue Enfield, EN3 6DY, England.

    1. Please contact the UK Trade and Investment office in Addis Ababa on
      Tel: (00251) (0)11 661 2354
      Fax: (00251) (0)11 661 0588

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