President Magufuli Opens Tanzania’s First Fruit Processing Plant

Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli has opened the first-ever indigenous fruit and vegetable processing plant in Tanzania, according to Daily News. The factory, which is the brainchild of one of the country’s wealthiest men, Said Bakhresa, has the capacity to process 350 tons of fruits and vegetables a day, amounting to 41 million liters of juice a year. During the inauguration ceremony, the President praised Bakhresa for his innovative ideas and dedication to offering employment opportunities to young Tanzanians.

“I like investors who create jobs for Tanzanians. You have created jobs for Tanzanians and you’ve continued to provide jobs to juice vendors in the city and farmers,” he said.

Located in Mwandege in Mkuranga District, Coast Region, the new factory will produce Azam Cola soft drinks and is expected to employ more than 600 people, which the President said will go a long way in reducing the country’s unemployment rate.

Economic Boost

He further congratulated local investors who pay taxes, saying they are playing an important part in growing the country’s economy.

Local farmers are expected to benefit greatly from the processing factory, since they’ll be guaranteed to have a ready market for their daily produce.

President Magufuli issued a directive to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) to ensure that the factory, which is currently relying on expensive generators to power its operations, is connected to the grid within the next two months.

He also asked Bakhresa to consider setting up a sugar processing factory in Tanzania, saying it will help address the current problem of sugar shortage in the country, according to Juma Click. According to the President, the government is ready to set aside a piece of land where the sugar factory will be constructed.

Bakhresa Salim

According to Forbes, Bakhresa is one of the wealthiest men in Tanzania and is the founder and CEO of Bakhresa Group, which mainly specializes in agribusiness, beverages, logistics, media, oil trading, recycling, and packaging.

Bahkresa’s fortune is estimated to be around $600 million, with his company recording an annual turnover of more than $800 million, while employing more than 8,000 people.