From CNBC Africa

Africa’s demand for beer has overtaken that of a number of developed markets, signalling an opportunity to invest in the growing thirst.

“Based on future demographics and economics, Africa emerges as the most interesting opportunity, provided brewers select the right operating model and can deal with the continent’s unique challenges in day-to-day operations,” a Rabobank International report said.

In the past 15 years, global beer consumption has been growing at an average rate of 3 per cent per annum. While there were marginal increases in the 2008 and 2009 recession, the world’s taste for beer never waned.

“Volumes have grown fast in Asia, Africa and Latin America and declined in highly saturated mature markets such as Europe or North America,” the report explained.

“Despite economic recovery, beer volumes in mature markets are unlikely to recover in the near future.”

While Asia is expected to remain an important force behind the growth in global beer consumption, the region will likely cease to be the fastest-growing market and will be overtaken by Africa.

“The overall GDP rise in Africa will have a much greater effect on beer consumption. Per capita beer consumption will continue to grow in Asia but not as fast as in Africa. [This is] as growth in Asia is less sensitive to changes in GDP than in Africa, although it is more so than in Europe or the Americas,” said Rabobank.

Written by Wilhelmina Maboja/Read more at CNBC Africa