Reuters news agency reported on Saturday that British American Tobacco (BAT) has signed a $11.90 million deal with Malian state tobacco company, SONATAM for the production and distribution of BAT’s Dunhill in West Africa.
This deal which is expected to be completed by 2020 will be used by SONATAM to upgrade its production facilities. It is also set to create about 600 jobs including 200 permanent appointments. This announcement comes about four months after its bribery scandal in East Africa.
BAT controversies in Africa
According to reports, BAT is latching on the gullibility and weakness of African governments. It has created sneaky and illegal policies to outsmart restrictive laws, keeping Africa as one of its most lucrative markets while endangering millions of lives. According to Euromonitor data, BAT has the largest share of cigarette sales in the Middle East and Africa. According to Financial times, it flagged a number of African countries as offering “further opportunities” for sales growth.