KELLOGG TOLARAM EXPLORES ZIMBABWE, ZAMBIA MARKETS

EZULWINI - Kellogg Tolaram Eswatini (Pty) Ltd has taken giant steps towards its expansion aspirations, as it has commenced exploring new markets in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique.

Kellogg Tolaram Eswatini Financial Controller Andile Mlotsa, has shared that since around February this year, they started exporting products to Zimbabwe, and at least three trucks loaded with products are exported to that country every week. Mlotsa made her remarks during an interview with this publication on the sidelines of the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme accreditation ceremony by the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) held at the Royal Villas on Wednesday afternoon.

Mlotsa stated that since then, they have not experienced any hurdles in their exportation as processes in the different countries’ ports of entry were seamless. Mlotsa mentioned that Zimbabwe is basically their focus market at the moment, but they are also exploring Zambia and Mozambique. She said, however, with Mozambique, they are still on pause amid the ongoing political unrest in that country. Mlotsa stated that she joined the company when it was still building from scratch with no single factory shell. She said, that now, the company had grown and is looking into exploring more markets in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Mlotsa  stated that for that reason, the AEO programme accreditation came just at the right time for them as a company and it will support them in this expansion endeavour.

Forefront

She said the accreditation by ERS meant that for them as a company, they have a partner, who will help them grow their business. “I think for us, this is the step in the right direction. We are very happy. Such a programme allows us as taxpayers to know what is happening and it is good to be at the forefront of what is happening,” said Mlotsa.Mlotsa stated that as they are expanding, more jobs are likely to be created for emaSwati. She said though at the moment it should not be definite as to how many jobs will be added to the already existing over 200 created for emaSwati directly and indirectly. Kellogg Tolaram Eswatini was established in the country in 2019. It started manufacturing noodles in 2021 and has a vision of expanding its products to cereals and other food products in the next few years.

The over E200 million investment by Kellogg Tolaram was poised to inject over E6 billion into Eswatini’s gross domestic product (GDP) over the next 10 years. This sum includes monies that will be spent by the company on raw material expansion, value added tax (VAT) on consumption and fuel tax, among other operational costs.  His Majesty King Mswati III made this statement repeatedly, when he officially opened the Matsapha-based company: “The nation will be pleased to know that the company is at its infancy stage.
Expansion plans are to add more lines in the near future, which will proportionately increase employment opportunities for emaSwati.”

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