By Business Insider Reporter
Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has pledged to strengthen its agricultural partnerships with sectoral stakeholders in a move aimed at boosting farmers’ incomes, expanding local sourcing and accelerating the transformation of Tanzania’s agricultural sector.
The commitment was made during a strategic engagement between SBL executives and Agriculture Minister Daniel Chongolo last week, where both sides discussed ways to deepen collaboration in strengthening agricultural value chains, empowering farmers and creating more opportunities for youth in the sector.
The brewer delegation at the March 6, 2026 strategic meeting in Dar es Salaam was led by Board Chairman Paul Makanza and Managing Director Obinna Anyalebechi, underscoring the company’s top-level commitment to strengthening partnerships aimed at advancing Tanzania’s agricultural value chains.
Briefing the minster on the operations of the company, the officials said SBL is increasingly relying on locally sourced raw materials as part of its effort to integrate Tanzanian farmers into its supply chain while supporting the country’s broader industrialisation agenda.
They revealed that currently about 80 percent of its raw material requirements are now sourced locally. In 2024 alone, SBL purchased approximately 20,000 tonnes of grains – including barley, maize and sorghum – from local farmers, reducing reliance on imports while strengthening domestic agricultural production.
Through this sourcing model, the company contributes more than TSh 15 billion annually to farmers participating in its agricultural supply chain, helping to expand market opportunities and improve rural livelihoods.
The company’s agricultural programmes are designed not only to secure reliable raw materials but also to support the long-term development of the country’s farming sector.
A key initiative is the “Shamba ni Mali” programme, launched in 2025 to improve farmer productivity and promote sustainable agriculture. The programme currently supports more than 600 farmers cultivating barley, maize and sorghum, providing agronomic training, farm inputs and regenerative agriculture practices aimed at improving soil health and increasing crop yields.
The initiative also promotes inclusive participation by supporting women farmers and people living with disabilities, ensuring agricultural development benefits a broader section of society.
Beyond farmer support, SBL is also investing in the next generation of agricultural professionals through its “Kilimo Viwanda” initiative.
The programme supports more than 300 young Tanzanians pursuing diplomas in agriculture, equipping them with practical farming skills and access to markets. Several graduates have already established farms and are now supplying raw materials directly to SBL, creating a link between agricultural education, production and industry demand.
Speaking during the engagement, SBL Managing Director Obinna Anyalebechi said the company’s investments in agriculture are aimed at building a resilient and sustainable supply chain rooted in Tanzanian communities.
“Our work goes beyond brewing. Through initiatives such as Shamba ni Mali and Kilimo Viwanda, we are strengthening local agriculture, empowering farmers and young professionals, and building a resilient supply chain rooted in Tanzanian communities,” he said.
SBL Board Chairman Paul Makanza reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the government’s agricultural transformation agenda through sustained private sector investment and partnerships.
For the government, such partnerships are seen as critical to unlocking the full potential of Tanzania’s agricultural sector.
Minister Chongolo welcomed SBL’s investments in local sourcing, youth skills development and climate-smart agriculture, noting that collaboration between government and industry is essential to advancing the country’s agricultural development goals.
“The Government welcomes strong private sector partners such as Serengeti Breweries Limited who are investing directly in Tanzanian farmers and youth,” he said.
Beyond agriculture, SBL directly and indirectly employs more than 800 Tanzanians, while about 140,000 individuals benefit across its extended value chain nationwide. Both the company and the government agreed to deepen cooperation in local production, value addition, youth empowerment and sustainable agricultural development in support of Tanzania’s long-term economic ambitions under the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
