BY DIRAMAKINI
THE Government of Tanzania and Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) took part in the launch of the Serengeti Brewery, Moshi branch expansion on November 22, 2022 in Moshi.
Hon. Exaud Silaoneka Kigahe, Deputy Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who attended the event as a Guest of Honor, stated that the expansion of this facility is significant because it shows the level of investment SBL continues to make in the country to increase its productivity and accelerate economic growth by providing employment opportunities for local farmers to get market for their produce.Addressing the media in Moshi, the Deputy Minister commended SBL for the state-of-the-art machinery and equipment that are operated with modern technology.
“The Government is very happy with the investment Serengeti Breweries has made in the industry. Again, we recognize that this investment comes at a time where our Government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is working to reduce bureaucracy in investment and provide great incentives for investors to come to Tanzania because it is the right country with attractive policies and a wide range of investment opportunities.
"When more companies like SBL continue to invest our people get employment opportunities and farmers which is a big economic driver in Tanzania are able to get market for their produce," He said.
"The SBL company has made a significant contribution to the country's economy by creating many jobs and paying taxes that support our country's budget; again, your contribution in uplifting farmers by purchasing their produce is exemplary; and your participation in various social activities in this country is commendable at all times," He added.
The expansion of the Serengeti Brewery facility in Moshi is part of SBL's three-year investment in expanding the business, which has cost approximately 185 billion shillings in capital expenditure.
Between 2019 and 2020, 31 billion shillings were invested in the Dar es Salaam brewery; 13.4 billion shillings in the construction of the spirits production facility; and 124 billion shillings in the expansion of the beer production facility in Moshi, which will take place between 2021 and 2022. Last year, we spent another 15.7 billion shillings to expand our Mwanza brewery.
SBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti commented on the investment, saying, "this level of investment is certainly a strong indicator of the faith that Diageo, our principal shareholder, and indeed we, Serengeti Breweries, have in the leadership of the Government of Tanzania to create a stable environment in which businesses can thrive."
He continued by saying that by committing to this level of investment, SBL is not only acting as a dependable investment partner in the economic journey that we are all embarking on, but also as a worthy ambassador of the country to other investors who, like us, will be looking for investment opportunities.
More than half of SBL beer brands are brewed with 100 percent local raw materials (including maize, barley, and sorghum), which are sourced from a network of farmers across the country who receive technical and financial assistance from the company in their farming activities. These farmers collectively supply SBL with over 20,000 tones of grains per year, accounting for more than 80% of our raw material requirements.
SBL manufactures a variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer and spirits. Our key beer brands include Serengeti Premium Lager, Serengeti Lite, Guinness Stout, Guinness Smooth, and Pilsner Lager.
All of these brands have received numerous quality awards, both locally and internationally. SBL completed a state-of-the-art spirits production facility last year, allowing the company to begin producing spirits locally.
About SBL
Incorporated in 1988 as Associated Breweries, SBL is the second largest beer company in Tanzania, with its beer brands accounting for over 25% of the market by volume. SBL has three operating plants in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Moshi.
Since the creation of SBL in 2002, the business has grown its portfolio of brands year on year. The majority stake acquisition by EABL/Diageo in 2010 has seen increased investment in international quality standards leading to greater job opportunities for the people of Tanzania.
SBL Brands have been receiving multiple international awards and include Serengeti Premium Lager, Serengeti Lite, Pilsner Lager, Pilsner King, Tusker Lager, Tusker Lite, Kibo Gold, Guinness stout and Senator.
The company is also home to world’s renowned spirits such as Johnnie Walker Whisky, Smirnoff Vodka, Gordon’s Gin, Captain Morgan Rum and Baileys Irish Cream.