Award-winning finance chief departs after playing a central role in EABL’s landmark shareholding transition.
In what market observers are calling impeccable timing, East African Breweries PLC’s Group Chief Financial Officer Risper Ohaga has announced her resignation, effective June 30, 2026, capping a six-year tenure that saw her steer the regional brewing giant through a pandemic, multiple awards, and a landmark $2.3 billion stake sale that reshaped ownership of East Africa’s largest brewer.
Ohaga’s departure announcement has triggered widespread speculation about whether the change in majority ownership influenced her decision. While the EABL Board stated she is leaving “in line with her career aspirations to pursue other interests outside the EABL Group,” industry analysts note the timing is hardly coincidental.
“She has been one of the sharpest knives in the cutlery drawer. Managing EABL’s books in an era of shilling depreciation and inflation was no small feat. Her successor will have big shoes to fill.”
The Asahi acquisition, valued at an implied enterprise value of $4.8 billion for 100% of EABL, represents a strategic retreat by Diageo from African beer markets as the UK spirits giant accelerates efforts to strengthen its balance sheet. For Asahi, it’s a bold entry into the continent’s fast-growing beverage sector, with Africa’s youthful, urbanizing population presenting significant growth opportunities.
A Tenure Defined by Crisis Management
Ohaga joined EABL in February 2020 from Absa Group (formerly Barclays), where she had spent over a decade in senior finance and audit roles across Africa. Her arrival coincided precisely with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic—a baptism by fire that would define much of her legacy.
“During her tenure, Risper has distinguished herself for her financial acuity and bold decision-making, optimising the company’s balance sheet and funding strategy during and after the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure the strategy is fully funded while costs are well managed to deliver strong results,” the EABL Board said in its statement.
Under her watch, EABL’s net debt reportedly dropped by over 30%, demonstrating the kind of decisive financial management that earned her widespread recognition. She led the issuance of the brewer’s 2021 and 2025 medium-term notes, transactions that delivered significant savings in interest costs and strengthened the company’s funding profile.
For the financial year ending June 30, 2025, EABL posted a net profit of Ksh 12.2 billion (approximately $94 million), up 12% from the previous year, supported by higher sales volumes and disciplined cost management—testament to the financial controls Ohaga put in place.
Beyond the Balance Sheet
What distinguished Ohaga’s tenure wasn’t just financial performance but her emphasis on governance, talent development, and stakeholder engagement. The EABL Board noted that she was “instrumental in driving performance, strengthening financial controls and governance, building talent and deepening investor relations under her leadership.”
“A number of Finance staff have taken up international assignments both globally and within EABL, with secondments to senior roles in Japan, Ghana, India, Ireland, and Singapore, among others. She believes in nurturing and developing talent.” — EABL statement
Her finance team won multiple financial reporting awards during her tenure, and Diageo’s global finance awards were claimed by EABL staff a record three times in the past four years—an achievement that speaks to the culture she cultivated.
Award-Winning Leadership
Ohaga’s contributions have not gone unnoticed in the broader corporate landscape. In 2024 alone, she received the Women on Boards Award, the Inclusive Leader Award – East Africa, and was named CFO of the Year. She was also a finalist at the 2025 Institute of Certified Secretaries Awards and the 2025 CFO of the Year Awards.
Beyond EABL, she holds non-executive directorships at I&M Bank and APA Insurance, positions she took up in 2023 and 2022 respectively. Her influence has extended to sustainability initiatives, where she has supported ICPAK’s National Sustainability Steerco and served as a resource person at various leadership forums.
What’s Next?
The departure of a CFO so soon after a change in majority ownership typically signals the beginning of broader organizational restructuring. As Asahi, known for its aggressive global expansion strategy, prepares to take full control pending regulatory approvals expected in the second half of 2026, market watchers anticipate further leadership changes as the Japanese firm seeks to align EABL with its global vision.
EABL has indicated that Ohaga’s successor will be announced in due course, with measures already in place to ensure a smooth transition and continued stability in the company’s financial leadership.
In a past interview, Ohaga revealed her long-term aspirations: “At the end of my corporate season, I would do a lot of work with women and children. I’m interested in helping build corporate leaders.”
For now, the corporate world watches to see whether this “quiet architect of EABL’s financial discipline”—as one headline aptly described her—will indeed pivot to mentorship and social impact, or whether another high-profile corporate role awaits.
The Board Takes this opportunity to thank Risper for her visionary leadership across the organization and her exemplary commitment to the business and its stakeholders.
The Asahi-EABL transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. EABL will remain listed on the Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania stock exchanges following completion. Under long-term licensing agreements, EABL will continue to manufacture and distribute Diageo’s global brands, including Guinness, Smirnoff, and Captain Morgan.
