Diageo has appointed John Musunga as Managing Director, Africa, effective 1 July 2026. The move reinforces the company’s long term commitment to the continent as a strategic growth market.
Musunga steps into the role after a career spanning more than 25 years across Africa, Europe and Asia, including nearly two decades in chief executive and senior leadership positions within and outside Diageo. He has built a track record for driving business transformation, accelerating growth and leading high performing teams in complex operating environments.
A Career Built Across Diageo’s African Markets
Most recently, Musunga served as Managing Director for Diageo’s South, West and Central Africa business, where he oversaw operations spanning more than 30 markets. Before that, he was Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, where he led the business through a period of significant transformation and renewed growth.
He joined Diageo in 2021 as Managing Director of Kenya Breweries Limited, where he played a central role in rebuilding momentum after the disruption caused by the COVID 19 pandemic. Earlier in his career, Musunga held several global and regional leadership positions at GSK, working across Africa, Europe and Asia while partnering with international health organisations on large scale commercial and public health initiatives.
Why West Africa Matters to the Appointment
Musunga’s grounding in West Africa gives the new role added weight. Diageo has spent the past three years restructuring how it operates across the region, moving from direct ownership of breweries toward licensing and partnership arrangements with established local operators.
In Nigeria, Diageo sold its majority stake in Guinness Nigeria to Tolaram in 2024, while retaining ownership of the Guinness brand under a long term licence and royalty agreement. Tolaram’s success in Nigeria has since supported expansion into Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Mozambique and Saudi Arabia. In Ghana, Diageo completed the sale of its majority shareholding in Guinness Ghana Breweries to Castel Group in 2025, again keeping the Guinness brand under licence while Castel takes on production and distribution. Castel brings extensive experience across West and Central Africa and already partners with Diageo in eleven other African markets. DiageoAfrican Markets
The shift reflects a wider asset light strategy across the continent, one that leans on local partners for manufacturing and distribution while Diageo concentrates on brand building and premium spirits. Musunga’s background managing this transition firsthand, paired with his earlier leadership of Guinness Nigeria during its own period of change, positions him to carry that model forward as he takes on responsibility for the broader African business.
Relocating to Nairobi
In his new role, Musunga will relocate from London to Nairobi. The move signals Diageo’s confidence in Kenya as a regional business and financial hub, and underlines the country’s importance to the company’s long term ambitions across the continent.
Throughout his career, Musunga has earned a reputation for pairing commercial results with inclusive leadership. He has spoken often about developing talent and building diverse, high performing teams, and he credits sustainable business success to empowered people, strong customer relationships and purposeful leadership.
As Managing Director, Africa, Musunga will lead the next phase of Diageo’s growth across the continent. His priorities include accelerating innovation, deepening customer and consumer connections, and advancing the company’s commitment to creating lasting economic and social value in the communities where it operates.
