Salvo Grima Kenya Ltd Moves to Acquire Major Stake of Leading Kenyan Tobacco Distributor

According to COMESA, the process was initiated under Article 26(8) of the COMESA Competition Regulations following the receipt of a merger notification submitted in accordance with Article 24 of the Regulation.

“It is hereby notified in terms of Article 26(8) of the COMESA Competition Regulations (“the Regulations”) that the COMESA Competition Commission (“the Commission”) after receiving a notification in terms of Article 24 of the Regulations regarding the merger involving Salvo Grima Kenya Ltd (the “Acquirer”) and Noble Outlook Limited (the “Target”), intends to embark on an inquiry in terms of Article 26 of the Regulations,” the statement read in part.

Further, the notice stated that the transaction involves the proposed acquisition of 22,500 ordinary shares, representing 75% of the issued share capital of Noble Outlook Limited, by Salvo Grima Kenya Ltd.

The Commission also confirmed that it will assess the merger under its regulatory mandate, including determining whether the proposed transaction is likely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in the Common Market.

COMESA Confirms Details of the Acquirer

The parties informed the Commission that Salvo Grima Kenya Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Salvo Grima Group Limited, a company incorporated in Malta.

Additionally, the notice states that the group operates in the business of wholesale distribution of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) and is active in several African markets, including Botswana, Rwanda, and Libya.

“The Acquiring Group is in the business of wholesale distribution of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (“FMCGs”), and currently operates in several African countries including Botswana, Rwanda, and Libya,” COMESA statement confirmed.

Moreover, the acquiring group launched a direct presence in Uganda in August 2025. Through this acquisition, the acquirer aims to expand its footprint in the Kenyan market.

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The Commission further noted that within the Common Market, the acquiring group already operates in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and Rwanda.

Noble Outlook Limited, the target company, is a Kenyan entity specialising in the trading of FMCG products.

Target and Shareholders Application Invite

Furthermore, the parties indicated that the transaction supports the target’s financial restructuring and enables the majority shareholder to retire or divest.

The Commission will determine, in accordance with the Regulations, whether the proposed transaction is likely to substantially prevent or lessen competition in the Common Market and whether it would be contrary to the public interest.

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In view of this, the Commission has invited all interested stakeholders, including competitors, suppliers, and customers, to submit written representations regarding the proposed inquiry.

“All written representations submitted to the Commission will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and will only be used for the purpose of this inquiry,” the statement read.

All submissions must be sent via email to kkamanga@comesacompetition.org no later than 8 December 2025. For further details or clarifications, stakeholders may contact Mr. Ali Kamanga, Manager, Competition Division, at +265 (0) 111 772 466 or via email at kkamanga@comesacompetition.org.

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