President Samia Suluhu Hassan unveiled the new project to expand the sugar factory Kilombero Sugar Company”.
This factory is expected to contribute a lot to the demand for sugar and the shortage of sugar in the country so that Tanzania can achieve self-sufficiency in the sugar industry.
Dr. Samia Suluhu who spoke in Morogoro region at the groundbreaking ceremony of the expansion project of Kilombero Sugar Company praised the expansion project of the sugar factory and said that this factory will fill a large space in the country and will do a great deal in the sugar shortage. repeated. The shortage of sugar has forced us to import from abroad and cost us a lot of foreign exchange when we could have done other things.
“The expansion of this industry has great achievements, including the protection of our foreign currency, which is spent on importing sugar to address its shortage, and the transformational investment will also ensure us to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar,” she said.
She also added that “all the ongoing expansions combined next year could significantly reduce the sugar gap.”President Samia praised the decision of the board of the Kilombero Sugar Company to implement the expansion projects of their company which will increase the production of sugar in the country which is currently 127,000 and is expected to be increased to 272,000 tons.2025 the project will be completed as planned, President Samia Suluhu accepted the invitation to the opening which was hosted by the chairman of Kilombero Sugar Company Ambassador Ami Mpungwe for the opening of the new factory.
This expansion project will cost 292 million US dollars (about 800 billion Sh.) which is mostly completed 83% as announced by Samia Suluhu the President of Tanzania.
She also praised the similar projects carried out by other sugar producing companies such as Mtibwa Sugar Estates and Mkulazi Holding Company.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Jafo also encouraged the sugar industry in Tanzania, the minister said he is confident that this industry will meet the sugar needs of the country More importantly, she said that sugar companies can play an important role in the production of ethanol for clean cooking, strengthening the transition to green energy.
Earlier the Chairman of Kilombero Sugar Company, Amb Mpungwe also announced that the expansion project started in 2021 and is in line with the sixth phase of the government’s business development policy which includes policies to attract investors’ confidence to improve production.
The chairman said that they are happy with the participation of the President of Tanzania in the groundbreaking ceremony.
Provides employment to Tanzanians
Treasury Registrar Mr Mchechu said the Kilombero Sugar Company expansion project could produce 50% of Tanzania’s sugar needs. The Tanzanian government owns 25% of this company while 75% is owned by the famous Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a private company with headquarters in 55 African countries.
According to the Registrar of the Kilombero Sugar Company Factory Expansion Project, more than 29 thousand Tanzanian citizens can work directly and indirectly, it is an opportunity to create new jobs according to him.