Sony Sugar unveils 2024-2029 strategic plan to drive growth, sustainability
Sony Sugar’s new five-year strategy focuses on expansion, modernization, sustainability, and competitiveness to strengthen its position in Kenya’s sugar industry.
KENYA – South Nyanza Sugar Company Ltd (Sony Sugar) has launched its 2024-2029 strategic plan, setting a transformative path for expansion, modernization, and sustainability.
The five-year roadmap is designed to strengthen the company’s market position while enhancing efficiency and competitiveness in Kenya’s sugar industry.
The strategy focuses on key areas such as agricultural expansion, factory modernization, financial stability, and regulatory compliance.
By addressing these aspects, Sony Sugar aims to increase its market share and establish a stronger presence in Africa, competing with major players in South Africa, Uganda, and Mauritius.
Speaking at the launch, Kenya Sugar Board Chairperson Eng. Nicholas Gumbo commended Sony Sugar for its resilience and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the industry.
He emphasized the need to empower farmers, stating that sugar production starts in the fields, not just in factories.
“The focus must shift to farmers because sugar is not made in factories; it is made in the farms. We want every sugarcane farmer from Migori to Busia and Kwale to benefit from their hard work,” Gumbo said.
A core component of the plan is environmental sustainability, incorporating technology and innovation to reduce carbon emissions. Sony Sugar aims to optimize factory operations while integrating data-driven decision-making to improve efficiency and resilience.
The company will also prioritize governance transparency, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies to address challenges such as political interference and financial mismanagement.
Sony Sugar’s Managing Director, Martine Dima, outlined ambitious targets for the next five years. The company plans to expand sugarcane cultivation from 6,100 to 12,100 hectares and increase daily cane deliveries from 1,000 to 2,700 tonnes.
Additionally, the factory will be optimized to process 3,000 tonnes per day, with the goal of boosting annual cane deliveries by 55%, from 410,000 to 635,000 metric tonnes by 2029.
Dima described the strategic plan as a “living roadmap” that will guide investments and operations to ensure resilience, efficiency, and stakeholder engagement.
He emphasized the importance of employee participation in achieving these goals, stating, “If employees don’t own the strategic plan, then this launch is in vain. They must see the benefits of the plan in their livelihoods.”
The strategy is built on four key pillars: customer excellence, operational efficiency, talent development, and financial growth.
Sony Sugar is also leveraging technology to enhance sugar quality, improve sustainability, and strengthen its competitiveness in local and regional markets.
The company’s previous strategic plan (2018-2023) faced challenges, including declining sugarcane production, factory inefficiencies, and financial constraints. Production dropped from 158,179 tonnes in 2019/2020 to 114,572 tonnes in 2020/2021, missing projected targets.
The new plan aims to address these challenges, build on strengths, and position Sony Sugar for long-term industry leadership.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
