Tanzanian brewer empowers small business owners with new efficiency-boosting skills

Dar es Salaam. Beverage distributors and sellers in Tanzania have received training through an initiative known as the Retailer Development Programme (RDP) which was launched in Dar es Salaam on October 24, 2023 by Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) under the slogan GRIT (Growing Innovatively Together).

The programme aims to foster growth, education, and inclusion by training retailers on a number of topics, which include financial management, stock management, marketing and sales, and responsible business retailing.

The tailored business training sessions are facilitated by industry experts.

The retailers selected for the pilot phase of this initiative will go through a detailed 6-module skills curriculum, including facilitator guides and participant handbooks tailored to the identified needs of retailers and focused on driving behavior change.

TBL has over 28,000 retailers across Tanzania.

The retailer development programme ensures that entrepreneurs learn new tricks of the trade and are able to stay in touch with the changing business landscape, which include the integration of digital technology.

Michelle Kilpin, TBL Managing Director, said that RDP is part of TBL’s commitment to positively impacting Tanzanian society.

“We always strive to create a meaningful impact in our communities and are committed to a people-centred growth approach. This development programme is a manifestation of such commitment.”

TBL’s communication manager, Catherine Mabula, said that the programme offers critical skills to retailers, most of whom are breadwinners for their families.

“We have decided to relaunch the retailer development programme as part of our broader efforts to empower communities. All the selected retailers will learn sustainable business practices and skills that will help them grow.”

The programme trainer from the University of Dar es Salaam, Dr Dotto Kuhenga, said GRIT encourages retailers to rethink old operating models.

“We encourage retailers to be innovative and to become more agile.”