MOROGORO Regional Commissioner Adam Malima has praised strategic investments in sugar industry, expressing hope that increased production will see Tanzania stop importing the sweetener soon.

Speaking during a recent visit by the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock to Kilombero Sugar Company, Malima highlighted that Morogoro region is pivotal to the country’s sugar production, contributing significantly to efforts meant to meet national demand.

“The sugar industry in this region is vital not only for Morogoro but for the entire nation. It plays a key role in Tanzania’s economic growth, and the government has a responsibility to continue enhancing and protecting such strategic investments,” he said.

The government’s commitment to supporting sugar industry is evident in the ongoing expansion projects, particularly the K4 factory expansion at Kilombero Sugar Company. The project, valued at 732bn/-, is set to double sugar production and significantly increase the supply of sugarcane.

 Malima emphasized that the investments are crucial for strengthening national economy, improving livelihoods, and ensuring long-term sustainability in the agriculture sector.

He also noted that with the expansion of sugar production, the region would see an increase in job opportunities, benefiting local communities and contributing to national development goals.

The K4 factory expansion project is expected to double sugar production from 127,000 tonnes to 271,000 tonnes annually, significantly decreasing the deficit of directly produced sugar.

Additionally, cane supply will increase from 600,000 tonnes to 1,500,000 tonnes. The project will also enhance energy production, supplying up to 10 MW of electricity to the national grid while reducing production week season from 42 weeks to 32 weeks to optimize rainfall periods.

Deodatus Mwanyika, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Industry, Trade, Agriculture and Livestock, praised Kilombero Sugar Company for its contributions to strengthening industry and agriculture sectors.

“This is a great example of a productive investment that will drive national economic growth and improve the livelihoods of sugarcane farmers, while also addressing the sugar deficit in the country. Congratulations to the investors and the entire Kilombero management for this significant milestone,” he said.

Ambassador Ami Mpungwe, Kilombero Sugar Company Board Chairman, expressed gratitude for the visit, saying: “The historic investment in the sugar industry and one of its kind in Eastern and Central Africa, with the investor injecting over $306 million into a single project, underscores our commitment as a business toward the country's vision of self-sufficiency in sugar by 2025.”

Kilombero Sugar Managing Director Guy Williams highlighted that the project is expected to commence in the middle of this year, with current progress reaching 95 percent.

Williams noted that the project will create additional jobs within the value chain, with 60 percent of the total cane crushed at the K4 mills coming from Kilombero out growers’ community and the remaining 40 percent sourced from the company’s estate farms.

Illovo Sugar Africa owns 75 percent of Kilombero Sugar Company Limited, while the government of Tanzania owns the remaining 25 percent.