8 Miles, African Capital Alliance (ACA) and DEG, the German development finance institution, have jointly invested in Beloxxi Industries, a market leading Nigerian biscuit manufacturing company.

The consortium has invested $80m for a significant minority stake to expand the capacity of Beloxxi, to address significant unmet demand and to grow its regional distribution presence.  

Nathan Mintah, co-Founder and co-Managing Partner at 8 Miles, said: “The snacks segment is a fast growing part of the consumer sector in Nigeria. Our investment will build on the Beloxxi’s strong brand and help accelerate the Company’s expansion in Nigeria, in the wider West Africa region and beyond.”

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Beloxxi’s CEO and Founder, Obi Ezeude – an experienced entrepreneur with a strong track record in the biscuits industry to grow Beloxxi into a regional biscuits brand and create further employment,” he said. 

Mack Schow, Investment Manager in DEG’s Regional Office – West Africa in Accra, added: “With our investment, DEG hopes to help Beloxxi contribute further to the development of the Nigerian economy by increasing revenue, creating new jobs for local employees and further professionalizing management and corporate culture in terms of governance and environmental and social responsibility.”

Nigeria’s biscuit sector has seen strong growth of 10 to 15% per annum, and this is expected to continue, driven by population growth, rising disposable incomes and increasing urbanization coupled with the growing popularity of biscuits as a convenience snack.

The growth in the sector is also a result of a relatively young population with 63% of the population, about 115 million people, below the age of 25 years. 

Beloxxi is a market leader in Nigeria with significant market share and has one of the most popular and highest selling cream cracker brands in the market, with a reputation for high quality.

The company operates several production lines from its plant in Agbara, Ogun State and multiple warehouses across the country.

The company employs about 2,300 people and operates through a network of about 400 distributors.

Beloxxi has experienced growth rates in excess of 30% per annum in the last few years. 

Obi Ezeude, CEO and Founder of Beloxxi, said: “I am very excited about the quality of investors we have attracted into Beloxxi as it aligns with our commitment to be the best in class in all our endeavors by adhering to global best practice standards. Our long term focus is to be one of the leading biscuit companies in the EMEA region.”

“The completion of this funding process is the first of the many steps in the achievement of our objectives. The investment will enable us increase our capacity significantly and grow in both our domestic and export markets,” he added.

Segun Adebanji, Principal & Head of FMCG at ACA, added: " Beloxxi demonstrates the potential of Nigerian companies to manufacture enjoyable quality products on a large-scale while also addressing Africa’s critical challenge of employing young people.” 

“Alongside the other members of the consortium, we will leverage our expertise and relationships from over 17 years of investing in West Africa to assist Beloxxi in achieving its strategic vision. We look forward to being a part of a Nigerian manufacturing champion through our investment in Beloxxi,” he said.

The investment consortium was advised by Linklaters, Aluko & Oyebode, Deloitte, SLR Consulting and Infomineo.

Beloxxi was advised by FROS Capital and Detail Commercial Solicitors.