International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), one of Nigeria’s most prominent beverage manufacturers and a key subsidiary of global brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), has announced significant changes at the executive leadership level that are set to reshape the company’s strategic direction.
In a statement released in January 2026, the company confirmed that its current Managing Director, Carlos Coutino, will be leaving his post in Nigeria to take on a new leadership position within the AB InBev group, effective March 1, 2026. Mr. Coutino is being appointed as Managing Director for Honduras and El Salvador, marking the culmination of an impactful eight-year tenure with IBPLC.
Stepping into the role of Managing Director will be Nicholas Kade, a seasoned commercial executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience across Africa. Mr. Kade, who previously served as IBPLC’s Sales Director, has played a central role in shaping the company’s sales strategy and go-to-market execution in Nigeria’s highly competitive beverage market.
The leadership transition underscores a broader shift in IBPLC’s organizational strategy as it navigates dynamic market conditions and seeks to build on the commercial successes achieved under Coutino’s stewardship. During his time in Nigeria, Coutino oversaw several key milestones, including record sales volumes, expanded market share, and a return to profitability after a years-long restructuring process.
In the formal announcement, IBPLC highlighted Mr. Coutino’s influence on the company’s trajectory: “Under his leadership, the Company recorded its highest ever sales volume and market share and achieved profitability after about six years of the business’ restructuring.” This statement reinforces the magnitude of the results delivered under his leadership amid challenging market dynamics.
Beyond financial performance, the statement also noted Mr. Coutino’s impact on the company’s internal culture and digital innovation, stating he “also became the Business Unit President to attain the highest employee engagement score in the country, underscoring a leadership style rooted in inclusion, trust, and performance.”
In addition, Coutino led efforts to modernize IBPLC’s digital capabilities, championing a locally developed digital product which has since been scaled across multiple countries in the AB InBev network. This initiative represents a lasting testament to his commitment to innovation and capacity-building within the Nigerian business ecosystem.
Nicholas Kade’s appointment brings a strong commercial focus to IBPLC’s leadership. With a track record of driving growth and operational transformation, Kade is expected to lead the company through the next phase of its strategic evolution. His background includes leading national sales performance as well as expanding customer engagement in complex, competitive markets.
The leadership change at IBPLC comes at a time when Nigeria’s manufacturing and beverage sectors are navigating currency volatility, inflation, and shifting consumer demand. Strategic executive decisions like this are important as firms seek to sustain growth, protect profitability, and support broader economic activities, from job creation to local supply chain development.
