Tanzania keeps pushing toward total sugar independence as Kilombero Sugar Company wraps up its massive K4 factory expansion that will more than double production capacity. Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu told reporters the government holds a 25 percent stake in the operation while Illovo Sugar Africa owns the rest, and the 292 million dollar project hit 99.8 percent completion after getting funded through commercial loans plus shareholder cash.
The new factory crushes 420 tons of sugarcane per hour and will pump Kilombero's total output from 126,000 tons to 271,000 tons each season. Tanzania still produces only 453,000 tons against a 650,000-ton national demand, which means the country keeps importing to cover the gap. The expansion doubles the farmer count from 8,000 to 16,000 people and raises their combined income from 75 billion to 165 billion shillings.
Government revenue from the operation jumps from 54 billion to 150 billion shillings while the company creates about 2,000 jobs and generates 20 megawatts of electricity from bagasse waste.
The new factory crushes 420 tons of sugarcane per hour and will pump Kilombero's total output from 126,000 tons to 271,000 tons each season. Tanzania still produces only 453,000 tons against a 650,000-ton national demand, which means the country keeps importing to cover the gap. The expansion doubles the farmer count from 8,000 to 16,000 people and raises their combined income from 75 billion to 165 billion shillings.
Government revenue from the operation jumps from 54 billion to 150 billion shillings while the company creates about 2,000 jobs and generates 20 megawatts of electricity from bagasse waste.
