ZAMBIA – The Lusaka Stock Exchange (LSE) listed brewing and beverage company, Zambian Breweries Plc has said that it had launched the latest phase of its US$30 million expansion project in Ndola, in addition to commissioning of a new packaging line.

According to an article by IOL Business, the new phase was officially opened by Commerce, Trade and Industry minister Christopher Yaluma who said Zambian Breweries’ growth demonstrated that the country’s business-friendly policies are indeed working.

The state-of-the-art, one million hectolitre packaging line will see the Ndola plant more than double its output from 850,000 litres to 1.8 million litres.

It also enables the company to meet increased demand for its brands in the local market, enhance job creation and improve supply chain by helping small-scale farmers who supply cassava, a key ingredient of Eagle Lager.

The new equipment installed at the plant will help Zambian Breweries reduce water wastage and use resources more efficiently while ensuring increased production.

“We put our policies in place to ensure that the private sector continues to grow because we know that private sector growth means job creation and economic growth,” he said.

The company’s operations director Franz Schepping said the company was expanding its warehouse at the Ndola plant.

“We expect that to be finished by September and new fermenters will be ready in November,” Schepping said.

“We are confident that the Ndola plant will be running at full capacity next year.”

In April, Zambian Breweries announced it had invested more than $400 million in Zambia in the last ten years, boosting the economy, creating jobs and supporting local businesses.

This is through investments in latest technology and building capacity to grow production capacity while contributing to society and economy.

The company said it had reported double-digit growth in production of clear beer, up 16 percent on the previous year, driven by improved demand across segments and strong growth of its affordable Eagle lager.