By Business Insider Reporter
Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has been named the winner of the President’s Manufacturer of the Year Award in the Alcoholic Beverages-Large Scale Category, with the recognition highlighting the growing role of sustainable manufacturing in strengthening Tanzania’s industrial base and local value chains.
The award, presented at the 19th President’s Manufacturer of the Year Awards (PMAYA), recognises SBL’s efforts to combine manufacturing efficiency with local sourcing, environmental responsibility, workforce development and community investment.
SBL Managing Director Obinna Anyalebechi said the recognition reflected the contribution of employees and partners to the company’s approach to responsible manufacturing.
“This recognition belongs to our people and partners, whose commitment continues to drive how we grow our business responsibly. For us, sustainable manufacturing goes beyond our breweries. It is about strengthening local value chains, investing in our people, protecting our environment and creating lasting value for the communities where we live, work, source and sell. We are proud of this recognition, but even more determined to keep raising the bar for sustainable manufacturing in Tanzania.”
Organised by the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI), this year’s PMAYA awards were held under the theme “Green Elegance – Celebrating Sustainable Manufacturing Practices,” placing sustainability at the centre of discussions about the future of Tanzania’s manufacturing sector.
For SBL, the award comes as the company continues to link its manufacturing operations with domestic agriculture by sourcing locally produced raw materials, including sorghum, barley and maize.
The approach creates markets for local farmers while increasing the share of economic value generated within the country. It also strengthens connections between agriculture, manufacturing and consumers, supporting the development of more resilient domestic supply chains.
SBL has also been pursuing greater resource efficiency across its operations, including efforts to improve the use of energy and water, reduce waste and minimise the environmental footprint of production.
The company says technology, operational improvements and better resource management are being used to make its manufacturing processes more efficient, reinforcing sustainability as part of business and investment decisions rather than as a stand-alone initiative.
The company’s contribution extends beyond its factories. SBL has invested in initiatives focused on clean and safe water, vocational and hospitality skills development and agricultural livelihoods, particularly in communities connected to its operations and value chains.
Workforce development and inclusion also form part of the company’s strategy, with emphasis on occupational health and safety, employee skills development and creating opportunities for women and young people.
The PMAYA recognition therefore positions SBL’s manufacturing model within a broader industrialisation agenda under Dira 2050 – one in which competitiveness is increasingly linked not only to production, but also to how companies source, use resources, develop people and create value across the wider economy. As Tanzania advances its manufacturing ambitions, SBL says it will continue investing in innovation, local partnerships and sustainability across its operations.
