NAIROBI, Kenya- In a landmark move toward promoting economic inclusivity, East African Breweries PLC (EABL) spent Sh5.9 billion on businesses owned by youth, women, and persons with disabilities over the past financial year.
This spend accounted for 7.9pc of EABL’s total supplier base, well beyond its initial target of 6pc, according to the company’s latest Sustainability Report.
The effort reflects EABL’s broader strategy to foster diversity and empower underrepresented groups by integrating them into its supply chain, furthering its commitment to building an inclusive economy that benefits marginalized communities.
EABL’s dedication to economic inclusivity is more than just talk—it’s a core part of the company’s mission to drive meaningful change.
The Sh5.9 billion spent on businesses led by youth, women, and persons with disabilities highlights the brewer’s ongoing efforts to create opportunities for those traditionally left out of economic participation.
This initiative not only uplifts communities but also enhances EABL’s supplier diversity, strengthening its value chain in the process.
Attorney General Dorcas Oduor praised EABL’s achievements, saying, “As one of Kenya’s oldest and biggest companies, EABL has done pioneering work around ESG in the country and the region, prioritizing the rights and dignity of every person, irrespective of their gender, age, physical ability, or geographical location.”
EABL Group Managing Director and CEO Jane Karuku also noted that the company had increased the representation of women in leadership positions, with women now comprising 45pc of EABL’s leadership team.
This milestone underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to creating an environment where equal opportunities are not just an ideal, but a reality.
EABL’s efforts don’t stop at economic inclusion. The company has made impressive strides in environmental sustainability.
EABL’s 2024 Sustainability Report also shines a light on the company’s contributions to community empowerment. Through its Learning for Life Initiative, EABL provided business and hospitality skills training to 9,951 individuals, exceeding its annual target by a remarkable 68pc.
This initiative empowered 4,570 women with training in business essentials such as budgeting, negotiation, time management, and even mixology—skills that have enabled many to secure employment or start their own ventures.
The company’s focus on supporting marginalized communities goes beyond training, as it actively employs youth in various initiatives.
For example, EABL’s project to collect and reuse spirit bottles involved more than 500 youth, who were hired to collect, clean, and sort over 17 million used bottles for reuse.
