Dodoma. President Samia Suluhu Hassan hosted Paul Kenward, the Group chief executive officer of ABF Sugar, at State House in Chamwino today, March 11, 2026 in a meeting focused on strengthening the nation’s sugar industry and enhancing private sector collaboration.
Mr Kenward was accompanied by senior executives from Kilombero Sugar Company Limited.
ABF Sugar is a major international group listed on the London Stock Exchange.
The group operates 21 production facilities across nine countries and employs 35,000 people globally.
In Tanzania, the group holds a 75 percent stake in Kilombero Sugar Company Limited.
The government of Tanzania owns the remaining 25 percent of the shares.
ABF Sugar also maintains full ownership of Illovo Distillers Tanzania Limited.
The group has already invested more than Sh900 billion into the local sugar industry.
Mr Kenward informed the President of plans to expand investments in irrigation, energy, and ethanol.
A new sugar factory project is now substantially complete.
Commercial production at the new facility is expected to begin this June.
This expansion aims to more than double annual sugar production from 126,000 tonnes to 271,000 tonnes.
The project will help Tanzania move toward its goal of sugar self-sufficiency.
It also doubles the number of participating out-grower farmers to 16,000.
Increased payments to these farmers will provide significant economic benefits to rural areas.
Beyond sugar, the project will contribute 10 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
Expanded ethanol production is intended to reduce imports and strengthen the industrial value chain.
President Samia welcomed the continued investment and reaffirmed the government’s support.
She emphasized the importance of a predictable investment environment for national development.
