Zambian Breweries Urges Sustainable Policy to Unlock Beer Industry’s Growth Potential
Zambia’s beer industry has been described as a resilient driver of economic growth, linking agriculture, retail, hospitality and trade, but its future success hinges on supportive taxation and policy frameworks, Zambian Breweries has said.
Speaking in Lusaka, Country Director Thais Cavinatto highlighted the industry’s wide economic footprint, from sourcing barley, sorghum, cassava and maize from thousands of small-scale farmers to sustaining jobs across logistics, hospitality and retail. “From seed to sip, beer supports a vast ecosystem, farmers, shopkeepers, truck drivers, bar staff and restaurateurs all depend on this industry,” she said.
Zambia’s broader economic ambitions, such as tripling copper production to three million tonnes by 2030 and unlocking regional trade through the Lobito Corridor, are expected to boost consumer demand. Rising incomes in mining towns and new export opportunities across Southern Africa could expand the market for locally brewed beverages.
Domestically, the hospitality and retail sectors are also seen as major growth engines. The rebound in tourism and the spread of both modern supermarkets and informal kiosks have created more outlets for beer, directly connecting breweries to consumers.
However, Cavinatto warned that recent increases in excise tax have placed the sector under pressure. She argued that steep hikes risk shrinking the formal market, encouraging illicit alcohol trade and ultimately reducing government revenues.
“When excise tax rates were set at sustainable levels, the industry expanded, formal sales grew, and government revenues increased year on year. Reverting to those earlier rates would stabilise the market, safeguard jobs, and protect the incomes of smallholder farmers,” she explained.
The Zambian Breweries chief added that lower, predictable taxation would strengthen regional competitiveness, giving breweries the capacity to innovate, expand distribution networks and capture export opportunities.
She called for collaboration between government, business and communities to ensure the industry continues to create inclusive economic opportunities. “The beer industry has shown it can drive jobs, farming opportunities and growth across Zambia. With the right policies, it can do even more,” Cavinatto said.
As the country pursues its national development goals, Zambian Breweries maintains that supportive policies will be key to ensuring the sector continues to deliver prosperity from farms to towns and into regional markets.
