Samia graces cigarette factory expansion project in Moro
MOROGORO: President Samia Suluhu Hassan inaugurated the construction project for the Serengeti Cigarette Leaf Tobacco factory expansion in Morogoro on Tuesday as the country eyes to process the product to 300,000 tonnes per year.
The manufacturer aims to increase processing capacity from the current 80,000 tonnes to 200,000 tonnes annually.
This initiative boosts the country’s economy, aligning with the target to process 300,000 tonnes per year. Upon completion, the project is expected to create 12,000 jobs.
At the launch in Morogoro, President Samia urged investor Ahmed Huwel to support the government’s Universal Health Insurance Fund policy, which is nearing implementation.
She also pledged continued support for investments and encouraged the factory to adopt the government’s clean cooking energy agenda and environmental conservation efforts.
Earlier, Minister of Agriculture Hussein Bashe noted that before the expansion, the factory processed 80,000 tonnes, but it will now handle 200,000 tonnes.
ALSO READ: President Samia stresses food sufficiency
He emphasized that this expansion is crucial for meeting Tanzania’s goal of processing 300,000 tonnes of tobacco annually.
Bashe also mentioned that despite challenges from El Niño rains last season, tobacco exports exceeded $400 million.
He reaffirmed that Tanzania remains the second-largest tobacco producer in Africa, after Zimbabwe.
Minister of Industry and Trade Dr Selemani Jafo highlighted significant growth in the number of factories since President Hassan took office, increasing from 62,000 to 80,000, including 166 large-scale factories.
The investor expressed his gratitude to the government for its continued support and cooperation, which facilitated the swift completion of the expansion project.
