Her Honour, the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, Mrs. W.K. Mutale Nalumango has commended Zambian Breweries PLC’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She was speaking at the unveiling of Zambian Breweries’ ground-breaking pregnancy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) specially designed for its pregnant female employees, and a dedicated mother’s room to provide breastfeeding support for lactating staff. The brewer also introduced a comprehensive facilities toolkit, kicked off male allyship workshops, and launched a female mentorship platform in a bid to enhance the safety, well-being, and development of its employees.
Zambian Breweries’ steadfast commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is shifting the social-economic narrative in the manufacturing industry by embracing the value that both women and men bring to the table. The brewing giant is further amplifying its efforts to drive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion within the organization.
“A diverse team fosters innovation, enhances productivity, and leads to better decision-making. As government, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are essential drivers of economic development,” Mrs. Nalumango said.
Mrs. Nalumango dubbed the initiatives as exemplary efforts to prioritize the unique needs and experiences of employees.
She further alluded to the brewer’s US$80 million investment in the expansion of its Lusaka Plant as being in line with the New Dawn Government’s mission is to facilitate and promote the growth, development, and competitiveness of Zambia’s commercial, trade, and industrial sectors to enhance socio-economic development.
“Zambian Breweries’ significant investment of up to US$80 million demonstrates both their dedication to driving economic growth, and also their commitment to create opportunities for all our citizens to prosper, more especially for our women to be able to participate in the otherwise male-dominated brewing industry.”
“We recognize that an inclusive workforce, where every individual is respected, valued, and given equal opportunities, is crucial for sustainable economic growth. We commend their efforts in aligning their business objectives with our government’s vision of building a prosperous and inclusive nation”, Mrs. Nalumango said.
Zambian Breweries’ Country Director Michelle Kilpin, also shared her enthusiasm for the momentous occasion, emphasizing the importance of supporting women in the workplace. She expressed pride in the company’s initiatives, aimed at empowering women to draw out and utlise their full potential.
Additionally, Ms. Kilpin highlighted the company’s collaboration with partners and internal leaders to promote inclusion, allyship, and psychological safety for all employees, fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone is supported and valued.
Zambian Breweries’ efforts extend beyond its workforce and into the communities it operates in. Through initiatives like the Manja Pamodzi recycling program, which includes over 600 women across aggregating sites in Lusaka, the company actively contributes to the economic empowerment of women and the reduction of plastic waste.
Furthermore, the beer manufacturer has prioritized local sourcing and empowerment of small- scale farmers through their Cassava and Sorghum Out-grower schemes.
“Through our initiatives we have supported approximately 6,000 small holder farmers and provided them a ready market for their produce- 80% of these farmers are women.” Ms. Kilpin stated.
Overall, the brewing giant retains a positive outlook about the multiplier effects that will arise from such initiatives as well as the expansion of its Lusaka Plant as they continue the trajectory of value addition, job creation, and the generation of national tax revenue.
