London based distiller Diageo is all set to drive expansions in Africa through the sale of premium spirits like Johnnie Walker whisky and Smirnoff vodka.

Diageo Africa Regional Markets managing director Ekwunife Okoli was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: "The middle income and above consumers like quality brands and consume spirits."

Registration for a distribution company in Angola is under process for Diageo’s business expansion purposes.

Angola has the second-biggest spirits market in Africa, with the first being South Africa.

Bloomberg quoted Okoli as saying: "Johnnie Walker is by far the biggest scotch brand in Angola.

The company has also opened a Gilbeys gin factory in Mozambique, which is in Southeast Africa, and intends to bottle Smirnoff Ice there.

Okoli added: "Today, the alcoholic market is mainly beer. I don’t believe it will continue to be like that in five years’ time.

"With the same sales force for beer, we are able to supply our spirits brands.

The company is using its infrastructure built for beer for distribution of other spirits in Cameroon, Ethiopia and Ghana. It already prepares its signature Guinness stout beer in Ghana.

Diageo will not be making any further investments for beer due to rising costs and increasing competition from other companies like SABMiller, Okoli informed.

"Beer requires a huge investment in capex and also we need to understand the market properly to see whether we can be competitive," he stated.