Alcohol Manufacturers Warn of Illicit Trade Risks in Nigeria

During a workshop held in Abuja on Wednesday, the Spirit Wine Association of Nigeria (SWAN) raised alarms regarding the illicit trade of alcoholic beverages, particularly spirit wine, which poses serious risks to public health and government revenue. SWAN President Michael Ehindero highlighted the necessity for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address the challenges posed by illicit trade.

The workshop included participation from regulatory bodies, policymakers, and industry players, who discussed the alarming scale of illicit alcohol trade, which is estimated to account for 40% of the spirit wine market in Nigeria, according to a survey by Euromonitor 2024. Toni Okwuju, Director General of SWAN, noted that illicit operations evade taxation, impacting government revenue.

David Franci from the Alliance Against Counterfeit Spirits clarified that counterfeit products are a subset of the broader illicit trade, which includes tax evasion and smuggling. The workshop concluded with a call for sustained collaboration to improve regulations and increase public awareness to protect consumers from unsafe alcoholic products.