December 4, 2020, Kampala: Nile Breweries Limited, Uganda’s leading brewer, has today announced the appointment of David Valencia as the new Country Operations Director for Uganda and South Sudan. Valencia joins Nile Breweries from AB InBev South Africa Business Unit (BU), where he was the Director Mozambique Sales & Route to Market Southern Africa for the unit. Valencia succeeds Thomas Kamphuis who has been part of AB InBev for 15 years, three of which were served at Nile Breweries Ltd.
A citizen of the world, as he describes himself, Valencia has experience of 7+ years in the beer industry, most of which have been in Africa, with exposure to multiple markets. Valencia has a solid commercial, financial and international business background. Valencia effectively defended the Mozambican market against competitor entry, retaining over 93% market share, and transformed the sales team to high engagement & warrior mindset. “I am humbled by the warm welcome of the NBL team and by the hospitability of the country. I am truly very excited about leading Nile Breweries,” said Valencia during his unveiling to the press today in Kampala.
“I have spent the better part of the last decade working in Southern Africa, and I am thankful for the opportunity to continue to work in this beautiful region of the world,” he said. “Nile Breweries works hard every day to offer great quality products to our consumers. As part of AB InBEV we work on several initiatives to positively impact communities where we operate,” Valencia said. About his new tenure, Valencia said, “The first thing is that we will build from the existing strong foundations. I like to dream big and as such I’d like to contribute towards positive
change and a business transformation which enables us to innovate faster and deliver inclusive growth.”
“As a leading FMCG we are part of the fabric of society and generate value to thousands of Ugandans from the field to the retailers, our best comes when we grow. When our volumes grow our products enable economic development and empowerment,” he added.
He underscored the aim to attract top talent in NBL and become the best business partner of for all its stake holders. “We will continue to work hard in our CSR programs, advocating responsible consumption and we will support initiatives to formalize illicit alcohol in order to contribute to the reduction of harmful use of alcohol,” he said. Valencia emphasized that NBL was building a business for the next 100 years and more! We will do so through the amazing talent of our people and our great products, we will do it together. Thomas Kamphuis, the outgoing Country Director assured NBL beer consumers of a seamless continuity under his successor.
Phil Redman (British), David Valencia (Colombia), Onapito-Ekomoloit (Uganda) “In the last 3 years the NBL team has been able to realise most of its ambitions. The integration into ABInbev is completed and this is resulting in efficiency and performance improvements,” Kamphuis said. “I’m particularly proud of our financial, market share, brand preference and employee engagement results. Our brewery in Mbarara was selected as the best brewery in ABInbev Africa,” he added. During his tenure, NBL able to grow the sourcing of local raw materials to over 95% among other achievements.
“As for most businesses, 2020 has been a tough year and we urge the government of Uganda to carefully consider the partial opening of the on premise channel as well as to continue working with the formal sector to ensure that the long term competitiveness with the informal sector is sustained,” Kamphuis said. He thanked the NBL team for their passion to make and sell the best beers in the world and the people of Uganda for their support and “the great time I’ve has had in the Pearl of Africa.”
Phil Redman, AB InBev East Africa BU President, lauded Kamphuis for the great contribution he had made to the business over the past 15 years and particularly during this challenging year of the COVID 19 pandemic. “Under his leadership we’ve seen excellent market share growth in Uganda despite the very competitive environment,” said Redman.