Accra Brewery PLC (ABL) has warned that proposed changes to Ghana’s beer excise duty regime could increase the tax burden on locally produced beer, weaken investment and put up to 2,000 jobs across the beer value chain at risk.
The brewery said the proposed changes could unintentionally give imported beer an advantage over locally manufactured products, despite the substantial investments made by domestic producers in factories, employees, supply chains and agricultural sourcing.
According to ABL, the potential impact on its budget is estimated at US$7.5 million based on its assumptions for implementation in the 2027 financial year.
The company, however, stressed that the potential consequences go beyond its own operations, pointing to the broader economic contribution of Ghana’s beer industry.
ABL said the beer sector supported approximately 52,000 jobs in 2023, representing 0.4% of total employment.
About 98% of these jobs were created outside breweries, highlighting the industry’s extensive linkages with other sectors of the economy.
The brewery said proposed changes to the excise regime could therefore affect businesses and workers across the wider value chain, including distributors, retailers, farmers, logistics operators, hospitality businesses and other enterprises connected to beer production and distribution.
ABL acknowledged the government’s need to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and said it supported efforts to establish a sustainable fiscal environment.
However, the company argued that tax reforms should not undermine local manufacturing or create incentives that make imported products more competitive than goods produced in Ghana.
The brewery referenced comments by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, who had indicated that proposed fiscal reforms would include a review of existing sliding-scale excise rates for beer and stout.
The objective, according to ABL, is to increase government revenue while maintaining incentives for local production.
“A tax framework should not inadvertently make importing a product more attractive than manufacturing that same product locally,” the company said.
ABL is calling for the existing sliding-scale excise rates for beer to remain unchanged for FY2026 and FY2027 to give the government and industry stakeholders more time to conduct an evidence-based review.
The company said the review should examine the potential effects of proposed excise rates on several areas, including local manufacturing and future investment, the competitiveness of locally produced beer against imports, employment, agricultural and agro-processing linkages, and government revenue.
According to ABL, a balanced and predictable excise duty framework would allow Ghana to pursue increased revenue mobilisation without compromising industrial development.
The brewery maintained that Ghana does not have to choose between raising government revenue and supporting local industry.
“Ghana should not have to choose between revenue mobilisation and local industrial growth,” ABL said.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to investing in local production, supporting employment and contributing to communities and businesses within the beer industry’s value chain.
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