Diageo has appointed John Musunga as Managing Director for Africa, a role he takes up with effect from 1 July 2026. The appointment places one of the drinks group’s most experienced Africa executives at the head of its business across the continent, and will see Musunga relocate from London to Nairobi, where he will be based.
In his new role, Musunga assumes responsibility for Diageo’s Africa operations, with a mandate that covers driving growth, expanding innovation and strengthening the company’s position across its markets. Africa is one of the group’s most closely watched regions, home to established brewing and spirits businesses as well as a fast growing consumer base.
Musunga is well known within the company. He most recently served as Managing Director of Diageo’s South, West and Central Africa business, an operation spanning more than 30 markets. Before that he was Chief Executive and Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria, where he oversaw a turnaround and growth strategy for one of the group’s flagship African businesses. The Guinness Nigeria role placed him at the helm of one of West Africa’s best known beverage companies, a listed business with a large manufacturing and distribution footprint. Earlier still he led Kenya Breweries Limited, having joined Diageo in 2021.
His career before Diageo was built largely outside the drinks industry. Musunga held senior leadership positions at GSK, working across Africa, Europe and Asia on commercial operations and public health partnerships. In total he brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across three continents to the Africa role.
The return to Nairobi carries a measure of personal resonance for Musunga, who built part of his early Diageo career in Kenya at the helm of Kenya Breweries Limited, one of the group’s anchor businesses in East Africa. He now takes continental responsibility from a base in the same city.
Musunga’s move underscores the importance Diageo places on its African markets, where the group operates through brewing and distribution businesses in East, West, Central and Southern Africa. His familiarity with the continent’s largest markets, including Kenya and Nigeria, positions him to lead the region through its next phase.
Diageo’s portfolio includes Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Tanqueray, brands that feature prominently across African markets. The company has repeatedly identified the continent as a long term growth priority, and the Africa managing director role carries responsibility for shaping that agenda.
Musunga steps into the position with effect from 1 July 2026.
