TANZANIA: Serengeti Breweries Limited (SBL) has signed an agreement to become a member of the UN Global Compact (UNGCT) effectively joining the league of elite companies in the world to collaborate with the UN to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sustainability programmes.
Renowned for its extensive community support programmes in Tanzania in areas of water stewardship, positive drinking, inclusion and diversity, tree planting among others, SBL has also committed to continue creating a positive impact to communities until 2030 in line with deadline set by the UN for delivery of the SDGs.
The Company’s Managing Director Obinna Anyalebechi said at the signing event in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday that, “Sustainability is a key priority for our business as we strive to create a positive impact in the lives of communities members where we source, produce, live and sell our products,”
Through its 10-year sustainability action plan dubbed Society 2030 Spirit of Progress, SBL has undertaken a series of community programmes countrywide including 25 water projects which collectively benefit an estimated two million Tanzanians with clean and safe water.
The company is also implementing water conservation initiatives across its breweries located in Moshi, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam with a target to reduce water usage by 40 per cent by 2030.
He said to sustain its sourcing of cereals from local farmers the company is running an agribusiness programme with a network of over 400 farmers, which involves training them on regenerative agricultural practices.
The company three years ago launched a scholarship scheme for bright students from the farming communities to support the agribusiness programme. Over 230 students have been awarded the scholarships, Obinna said.
Commending SBL for the bold move, the UNDGCT Executive Director Marsha Macatta-Yambi said the brewer’s sustainability initiatives are a bold demonstration of the role that the private sector should play to support delivery of the SDGs.