By Business Insider Reporter
Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has underscored the growing role of private sector investment in agriculture and regional trade during the Tanzania–Kenya Economic Forum held in Dar es Salaam on Monday, May 4, 2026.
The forum, hosted at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre, brought together policymakers, investors and business leaders alongside Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and visiting Kenyan President William Ruto to explore ways of strengthening bilateral trade and investment.
Trade between Tanzania and Kenya has continued to expand in recent years, with total flows now exceeding US$1 billion annually, reflecting deepening economic ties. Recent data shows Kenya exported goods worth about US$488 million to Tanzania in 2024, while imports from Tanzania stood at roughly US$431 million, highlighting strong two-way trade linkages.
Speaking during a panel on agriculture, trade and investment, SBL Managing Director Obinna Anyalebechi (pictured abive) said the company’s experience demonstrates how private sector-led value chains can transform agriculture.
“SBL is a Tanzanian company, and for many years we have invested in agriculture as a core part of our business. Today, more than 80 percent of our raw materials are sourced locally through partnerships with smallholder farmers,” he said.
Through its “Shamba ni Mali” programme, the brewer works with over 600 farmers across the country, sourcing crops such as sorghum, maize and barley.
In 2024 alone, the company purchased more than 20,000 tonnes of locally grown produce, injecting about TSh12 billion into farming communities.
Stakeholders at the forum emphasized the need to strengthen the investment climate to unlock further growth in agriculture and trade. Key priorities highlighted included stable policy frameworks, improved cross-border infrastructure and closer collaboration between governments and the private sector.
Discussions also focused on the role of digital technologies in improving market access, enhancing transparency in supply chains and enabling farmers to access financing and real-time agricultural data.
However, participants noted that non-tariff barriers continue to constrain trade between the two countries. Addressing these obstacles is seen as critical to unlocking the full potential of regional integration under the East African Community.
Analysts note that bilateral trade between Tanzania and Kenya has grown significantly in recent years, driven largely by complementary trade in manufactured goods and agricultural produce.
As regional integration efforts gather pace, SBL’s model of linking smallholder farmers to industrial supply chains is increasingly being viewed as a blueprint for inclusive growth.
Mr. Anyalebechi said stronger cooperation between governments and businesses could help build a more resilient agricultural and trade ecosystem. “Tanzania and Kenya have an opportunity to grow together. By strengthening partnerships, we can create a system that benefits farmers, investors and the wider regional economy,” he said.
