Africa Business Development

About Us

Africa Business Development (ABD) offers an alternative and authentic route to market for drinks brands from around the world. Specializing in international beers, & also offering boutique wines/spirits/champagnes in the Djibouti Domestic Market and to the ever-growing surrounding difficult geographical markets. With our offices and infrastructure in Djibouti Freezone, ABD is ideally positioned to service the ever-growing liquor trade throughout the Horn of Africa region & constantly expanding our African footprint.

The General Manager, Naheed Younis, brings a wealth of experience in the drinks industry having spent 29 years in the drinks industry, with over 17 years spent with the Heineken Group, including 5 of those most recent years in the MENA.

The business possesses extensive knowledge and skills to develop brands and portfolios across multiple markets and channels, the ability to develop productive working relationships with clients ensures results are achieved quickly, efficiently, and to mutual benefit. With the full route to market capability across multiple markets, ABD is an ideal business partner for businesses and brands seeking a platform in international markets, especially in this geographic region.

About Djibouti

Djibouti is situated at the mouth of the Red Sea, the gateway to the Suez Canal connecting Africa, Asia, and Europe. Djibouti is also the gateway to the longest chain of landlocked countries in the world, including Ethiopia which is the fastest growing economy in Africa.

The Port of Djibouti has a total of 40,000 ships transiting the port each year. Goods from Asia represent 59 percent, with 21 percent coming from Europe and 16 percent from elsewhere in Africa.

Djibouti Port and Free Zone Authority (DPFZA) has upgraded and expanded Djibouti’s port facilities, with an $18 billion expansion program. The Djibouti Free Trade Zone Project is a joint venture between DPFZA, China Merchants Group, Dalian Port Authority, and IZP. Since 1998, the Port has handled 100% of Ethiopia’s maritime traffic. The Port of Djibouti is ideally located to serve the COMESA market, linking 19 countries and 410 million people.

The new Chinese-built transnational railway linking Addis Ababa with the Port of Djibouti was completed in 2017. The 752-kilometer track cut journey times between the Port of Djibouti and Addis Ababa from three days by road to just 12 hours by rail. More than 90 percent of Ethiopia’s trade passes through Djibouti.

Wine

“Wine is a passport to the world.” – Thom Elkjer

The wine lifestyle continues with the ever-growing selection of traditional and new wine on the market from certified wine distributors. There is a modern way to introduce and continue the tradition of promoting this alcoholic drink to millions of wine enthusiasts around the world. Our portfolio includes trusted wine distributors who source a whole list of Red, Rose, and White wines. Wine goes beyond time and space, making it an all-time favorite in different parts of the world.

Beer & Cider

“Beer. The best damn drink in the world!” - Jack Nicholson

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage worldwide, and the third-most popular drink overall after water and tea. Research shows that people have been brewing this famous beverage as early as several thousand years before the Common Era. Recent studies claim that the production and consumption of beer was a major factor in the development of civilized society, arguing that the important and often spiritual role beer played in traditional ceremonies and feasts contributed to the development of ritual and tradition and consequently the development of society at large.

Champagne

“In victory, you deserve Champagne. In defeat you need it.” – Napoleon Bonaparte

Champagne is a popular treat for the holidays and other special events all year round. Different countries and regions now have their own rendition of this world-famous sparkling wine. Champagne connoisseurs from around the world choose from among the popular variants including Pommery’s Le Brut Royal and Veuve Clicquot. The once royal and aristocratic drink has become a staple in every table for all occasions. Nowadays, a glass of sparkling and bubbly champagne completes any festive scenario. The popular wine variant is one of the top picks for special events beverages in different corners of the globe.

Spirits

“Seen through the gold of old Scotch, life seems more beautiful.” ― Pierre Souvestre

The sale and growing market of whisky is not halting anytime soon. The distilled alcoholic drink is an all-time favorite and a mainstay on special occasions as well as ordinary get-togethers. It is undoubtedly one of the bestselling spirits that have broken sales records around the world. Nowadays, whisky is no longer just a status symbol but the perfect beverage to celebrate trivial to huge achievements and anything in between.

We work with an excellent database of customers in the region, where we cover all sales channels, evaluating with our team of professionals the type of product to be introduced in each of these channels.

Water & Sparkling Water

We provide a wide range of drinks and mineral waters in various packings. We source the products from famous and less well-known brands all over Europe. With a well-established portfolio of brands ranging from premium water to innovative soft drinks and syrups, we provide our customers with a complete bar solution to share exceptional beverage experiences with their clients and make their own identity.

Chocolates

Everywhere around the world people love chocolates. We carry a full range of chocolate products, which are handled with great care and attention and always shipped at the ideal temperature of +16/+18 degrees.

Chocolates are available in various gift boxes, either plain-, milk-, hazelnut- or white chocolate, filled pralines or pralines filled with nuts, chocolate bars in various sizes, and flavors.

Confectionery & Snacks

We are specialized to combine a large range of confectionary items in one shipment. Sweets and candies are a long-time favorite, not only with children. Since the products come from different countries, we usually have the goods delivered to our warehouse in Djibouti, where everything is checked before shipment to the destination. We are partnered with the world’s renowned brands and offer products with an extensive range.

Distribution

We are the exclusive distributor for several beer products and for international premium liquor.

Our distribution channels also include domestic, HORECA, naval bases, and army bases.

Our strategy is to expand our portfolio with more product ranges for both our domestic and export markets as well as for our travel retail organisation. To achieve this goal, we work with renowned brand principles along with working on an excellent database of customers in the region, where we cover all sales channels, evaluating with our team of professionals the type of product to be introduced in each of these channels.

Logistics

Our reliable services are based on our outstanding infrastructure with 5500 sqm of warehousing, including temperature-controlled areas to keep goods factory-fresh.

Our In-house forwarding enables us to guarantee our customers a full service from origin to the destination under the best conditions, with respect for the products’ quality standards. With a team of skilled managers, we are taking care of all the required documentation and certification for global destinations, with extensive knowledge of customs and transport regulations. We serve our clients directly from our large & diversified inventory. Our geographical location in the port of Djibouti is an added value to provide our customers with the most cost-effective transport solutions.

We organize your deliveries all over Africa and offer you worldwide coverage by air freight and sea.

Drinks Brands from All Around the World