Diageo has appointed John Musunga as its Managing Director for Africa, with the leadership change taking effect from July 1, 2026, as the global beverages company strengthens its strategic focus on the African market.
The appointment will see Musunga relocate from London to Nairobi to oversee Diageo’s operations across the continent. His elevation comes after serving as Managing Director for Diageo’s South, West and Central Africa business, where he led operations spanning more than 30 markets.
Brandspur Brand News reports that Musunga is widely recognised in Nigeria’s consumer goods sector, having previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria before taking on broader regional responsibilities within Diageo.
Musunga joined Diageo in 2021 as Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited after building an international career with GSK, where he held several senior leadership positions across Africa, Europe and Asia. His experience across multiple markets is expected to support Diageo’s ambitions to deepen its presence in one of its key growth regions.
The leadership transition reflects Diageo’s continued investment in Africa, a market the company has consistently identified as central to its long-term growth strategy. By positioning its continental leadership in Nairobi, the company is reinforcing its commitment to expanding operations and strengthening engagement with customers, partners and stakeholders across African markets.
For Nigeria, Musunga’s appointment is particularly significant given his previous leadership of Guinness Nigeria, one of the country’s leading beverage companies. His familiarity with the Nigerian market and broader African business landscape positions him to lead Diageo’s regional operations as the company pursues further growth across the continent.
