ZB REMAINS COMMITTED TO CONTRIBUTING TO ZAMBIA’S SUSTAINABLE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Zambia’s economy has made positive gains over the past year, and with it, there has come a strong appetite from local and foreign investors to invest in the economy – leveraging the current positive macroeconomic conditions.
The nation’s largest brewer, Zambian Breweries (ZB), recently announced a US$80 million package of capital investment buoyed by the conducive trade and investment climate. The new investment is in addition to the company’s long-standing contribution to the Zambian economy over many years, with just under US$400 million spent on capital investment programmes in the last decade.
This plan is expected to double production capacity at the Lusaka plant over the next 18 months.
ZB sees this investment as a key to unlocking innovation and opportunities within the beer product category and eventually leading to a reduced reliance on imports, as well as opening export options.
For ZB, investing smartly means investing in the future success of the business. This supports the delivery of consistent performance and enables sustainable, quality growth. A core element of that growth is investing in production capacity in fast-growing strategic categories.
The investment is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023 and is expected to create more direct and indirect jobs, expand the company’s agriculture out-grower schemes, offer further procurement opportunities for local suppliers and service providers, and contribute additional tax revenue to the government.
As the largest brewer in the country, we are aware of the huge responsibility that comes with that. The investments that we made in the Zambian economy over the years are hinged on our belief that to succeed, the communities we serve ought to succeed.
Over the past decades, we have learnt that success in Zambia requires patience, perseverance, and a dedication to long-term economic development that will withstand shifting social and political circumstances. Through a long-term business strategy, Zambian Breweries has undeniably become a source of stability and economic growth in Zambia.
Our investments contribute to the development of local communities owing to the fact that we place long-term business development over temporary short-term returns.
We regard ourselves as long-term investment partners of the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the citizens. Our fortunes are intertwined with the success of the Government and the people. It is for this reason that we continue to dream big to create a future of shared prosperity for all.
Michelle Kilpin is Country Director of Zambian Breweries Plc
