Politicians from South Africa to Kenya and Zambia are facing increasing pressure to tackle a problem that is adding to Africa’s burden of HIV, birth defects, road accidents and violent crime.
Africa has the world’s highest proportion of binge drinkers, even though its large populations of Muslims and evangelical Christians generally abstain from alcohol.
“It’s true that most people in Africa don’t drink for cultural, religious and economic reasons but those who drink, drink a lot,” Dr Vladimir Poznyak of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva told Reuters news service.
The continent has become a boom market for international brewers and distillers whose sales are often flagging in the wealthy world. If governments finally crack down effectively, the companies may find Africa no longer allows the spectacular sales growth they have achieved there in recent years.
In defending themselves, the brewers and distillers say Africans are better off consuming their products than popular but sometimes lethal home concoctions.
For years poor Africans were limited to home-brew sorghum or maize beer, sometimes made with dangerous ingredients such as battery acid to increase the potency.
Commercial alcohol is now widely available in most African states and premium brands such as Johnny Walker whisky or Heineken beer are increasingly in reach of the average drinker. And the continent’s thirst for beer and spirits is almost unquenchable: analysts estimate beer volumes rose around 7 percent last year. Some public health officials say regulation of alcohol consumption and education about its abuse have failed to keep pace.
“In parallel to this increase in commercial alcohol availability, the infrastructure and regulation for effective alcohol control have no strong tradition in many African countries,” said Poznyak.
