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MARCH 7, 2022
NEW GLOBAL REPORT REVEALS BEER’S POSITIVE FOOTPRINT IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY
A cocktail of positives for Zambia’s development in beer industry…
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – A report by Oxford Economics has revealed the massive contribution the alcohol sector is having on Zambia’s economy through sustained activities on the domestic and international markets.
The beer sector supported about US$160 million (ZMW2.8 billion) of gross value added (GVA) contribution to Zambia’s GDP in 2019, equivalent to 0.7 percent of national GDP, or 8.7 percent of Ndola’s economy.
According to the Oxford report, the beer sector sustained over 12,000 jobs in Zambia in 2019. This was equivalent to 0.2 percent of the national employment rate, or 6.8 percent of Ndola’s employment.
The industry also supported US$111 million in tax revenues in Zambia – that was 2.3% of government revenue in 2019.
The sector’s strong performance amid the global economic downturn brought on by the virus illustrates the potential it has to serve as a catalyst for sustainable recovery in several economies including Zambia’s.
Zambian Breweries Country Director Michelle Kilpin commended the Worldwide Brewers Alliance (WBA) and Oxford Economics for delivering the first ever global report detailing the beer sector’s significance to economic prosperity.
“The report could not have come at a better time because last year we had a study published by Ernst & Young Global Limited on the impact of alcohol on Zambia’s development in the context of economic growth, job creation, and the success of a wide array of factors up and down the value chain,” she said.
“Our economy is still recovering from the effects of COVID-19. The beer industry has not been spared but Zambian Breweries has managed to remain resilient and continue to be a major contributor to the national economy. This business impacts so many sectors including farmers at all levels, transporters, the hospitality industry, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs as well as other retailers.”
According to the report, the global beer sector helped generate US$262 million (ZMW4.7 billion) in government tax revenue in 2019 across the 70 countries studied.
The sampled countries account for 89 percent of beer sold worldwide – supporting over 23 million jobs.
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About AB InBev in Zambia
Zambian Breweries Plc is part of Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the largest brewer in the world, with more than 400 beer brands and some 200,000 employees in over 50 countries. It is also one of the world’s largest bottlers of soft drinks.
Zambian Breweries was established in Zambia in 1968 and its product range has grown to include clear beers such as Mosi Lager, Castle, Carling Black Label, Eagle beer, Stella Artois and Budweiser.
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