SWAN Workshop in Abuja Tackles Illicit Trade in Spirits

On April 22, 2026, the Spirit Wine Association of Nigeria (SWAN) organized a high-level workshop in Abuja to address the growing threat of illicit trade in the wine and spirits industry. The event brought together key stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, law enforcement bodies, manufacturers, distributors, and media practitioners, to explore strategies for combating counterfeit and smuggled alcohol products.

Michael Ehindero, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard and President of SWAN, described illicit trade as a direct threat to business integrity and human life, emphasizing the need for stronger enforcement and improved border control. The workshop highlighted the economic implications of illicit trade, including tax evasion and market distortion, which result in significant revenue losses for the government.

Participants included representatives from major organizations such as Bacardi, Diageo, and Interpol, who acknowledged the challenges posed by organized crime and the need for collaboration among stakeholders to effectively tackle these issues.