EABL Continues to Shine the Economy with KES 52 Bn Tax Contribution

The East African Breweries Limited (EABL), East Africa’s largest alcohol beverage company, continues to defy the odds with a solid performance contributing 52 billion shillings in taxes while impacting Kenya’s economic growth despite the challenges in the industry.

The company, headed by Jane Karuku and trading as Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its products continues to transform various sectors of the economy positively.

EABL in an event commemorating how far the company has come shared their success and plans to grow even better while shaping the whole of Kenya in the process.

According to EABL, it is focused on extending growth value chain to bring real change to the Kenyan economy. In a 2017 report by McKinsey, EABL contributes an estimated 0.8 percent of the country’s GDP, 14 percent corporate tax, 62 percent Excise tax, and 4 percent tax contribution to the government revenue. The overall tax contribution is 52 Billion shillings.

The economic contribution touches more than 1.8 million people including those it has employed indirectly and is currently growing value for over 30,000 farmers as it looks to employ 15,000 new farmers from Western Kenya Ahead of the Kisumu Brewery opening.

EABL has more than 1,000 employees and with the heavy investment it has made in technology, equipment, and facilities, not only will it be in a better position of driving efficiency and leading but it will further better the lives of Kenyans.

The company is set to launch the 15 billion shillings Kisumu Brewery in July. Once operational, it will create at least 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. For the plant to function properly, not less than 4,000 new bars will have to be opened in western Kenya.

Other lauded economic and charitable contributions the company has made includes 3 million-plus water beneficiaries, over 1.5 million trees planted, 270 full scholarships for university students, as well as spearheading the Heshima Programme, which addresses the illicit brews issue in various communities.

It also champions the use of responsible marketing techniques for all its products. Has it dedicated time and resources to campaigns like #Utado? that emphasizes the importance of eating food in between drinks and ensured the involvement of the self-regulated industry through associations like ABAK and PERAK.

Meanwhile, the company is focused on innovation brands targeting the millennials through the utilization of the current digital trends and the acceleration of brand awareness to conform to their tastes and needs better.

EABL also noted that its beer brand, Senator, for the last 5 years has realized a single digit growth while the spirits witnessed a 21 percent growth during the period under review. With aims of realizing even better figures, the company is investing in the growth of beer brands and creating a comprehensive mainstream spirits portfolio across all categories, price points, and occasions.