Namibia & Tanzania: Namibian premium beer launches on Tanzanian market

The new beer brand with a unique back label for Tanzania, brewed and bottled by Namibia Breweries Limited, was launched officially over the weekend at Hyatt Hotel Kilimanjaro and later at Golden Tulip in Dar es Salaam, Daily News reported on March 3.

As in the case of Windhoek Premium Lager beer, Namibia Breweries Limited has entered an exclusive agreement with Mabibo to import and distribute Windhoek Draught in the country.

For that matter, Mabibo would be the sole importer and distributor of the new beer brand in Tanzania.

Windhoek Draught is premium quality and natural beer brewed using only the finest imported ingredients.

Mabibo Executive Chairperson, Benadicta Rugemalira, told the fully-packed ceremony that her company was determined to offer best services, but warned unscrupulous businesspeople from infringing the company’s exclusive rights.

“We are facing a lot of challenges in this business, including some untrustworthy businesspeople smuggling Windhoek beers from South Africa without paying tax.

“We are not going to tolerate them and we will not allow this unbecoming behaviour,” she warned.

Mabibo’s boss pointed out that smuggling behaviours have hindered her company from implementing its long plans of brewing Windhoek beers locally.

“We appeal for your support so that we could fulfil our ambitious mission. Brewing the beer locally has positive impacts,” she said.

Recently, Mabibo announced that the firm has initiated a feasibility study for setting up a plant in Tanga Region.

Another potential area could be found in Muleba District, Mara Region. Rugemalira further reminded that Windhoek Draught would also have specific mark of MB66 distributed by Mabibo Beer Wines and Spirits Limited in its labels or any other cover of either the box or bottle to distinguish them from the smuggled products from South Africa.

The General Manager of Mabibo, Neil Stainton, said Windhoek Draught with a volume of 440 ml NRB and four per cent alcohol would be available in the local market effective March 3.

Regarding smuggling, Stainton said his company held two training sessions for the police, including Regional Police Commander (RPC) and officials from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Customs and Excise Department to identify smuggled and non- smuggled stock.

05 March, 2014