On September 6, 2026, the Confederation of Tanzania Industries (CTI) organized a visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Budget to Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) in Moshi, as part of its industrial visits assessing the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Tanzania's economy.
Established in 1988, with beer production beginning in 1996, SBL now operates breweries in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, and Moshi, holding more than 33% market share. The company employs over 800 people directly, 38% of them women, and 99% Tanzanian, and reports that its wider value chain supports approximately 140,000 livelihoods, contributing more than TZS 270 billion annually to the economy.
Managing Director Dr. Obina Ayebelechi presented on the company's operations before the Committee toured the facility and met with barley, sorghum and maize farmers supplying the plant. Farmers described how the partnership, which includes training, improved seeds, technical advice, organized crop collection and prompt competitive payments, has improved household incomes, enabling investment in education and livestock.
SBL highlighted major progress in local sourcing: imported raw materials have fallen from approximately 62% to 30% over three years, while local sourcing of maize, sorghum, and barley has grown from roughly 8,000 to 20,000 tonnes over the same period. The company works with an estimated 7,000 farmers, spending approximately TZS 15 billion annually on farmer support and local sourcing initiatives.
The company also raised policy proposals with the Committee, including a proposed intermediate excise duty band for beer made with at least 75% local raw materials, and a proposed broadening of the excise arrangement for locally manufactured spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages.
The Committee also heard from farmers directly, including Ms. Bertha Akyoo from Monduli and Mr. Daniel Sandewa from West Kilimanjaro, who spoke about the value of training, improved seeds, and organized market access, while farmers collectively called for greater access to agricultural land and continued government support on fertilizer costs.
Parliamentary Committee on Budget Visits Serengeti Breweries Limited, Moshi