East African Breweries PLC (EABL) announced that it allocated KSh5.9 billion to businesses owned by youth, women, and Persons with Disabilities during the past financial year, as detailed in its latest Sustainability Report.
This expenditure represents 7.9 percent of EABL’s total supplier base, exceeding the initial target of 6 percent. It aligns with EABL’s broader strategy to promote economic inclusivity and empower underrepresented groups by integrating them into its supply chain.
Through this initiative, EABL aims to drive meaningful progress in fostering diversity and contributing to the economic empowerment of marginalized groups.
This year’s report highlights the region’s largest manufacturer’s value creation beyond financial gains and the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages. It also showcases the company’s significant investments in renewable energy, water conservation, community empowerment initiatives, and progress toward achieving its sustainability targets.
Speaking at the report launch, the Attorney General, Hon. Dorcas Oduor SC, EBS OGW commended EABL for its pioneering work in ESG within Kenya and the region.
She expressed her delight in the company’s progress toward sustainability and its prioritization of the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their gender, age, physical ability, or geographical location.
“As one of Kenya’s oldest and biggest companies, EABL has done a lot of pioneering work around ESG in the country and the region. I’m delighted when I see the work you have done and the progress towards sustainability and to prioritize the rights and dignity of every person,
irrespective of their gender, age, physical ability or geographical location.”
EABL’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Jane Karuku stated that the company made significant strides in gender equality in 2024 by increasing the number of women in leadership roles.
“Women now constitute 45 percent of EABL’s leadership team, reflecting its commitment to creating an inclusive environment that fosters equal opportunities for all.”
Among the report’s highlights is EABL’s work to empower underprivileged communities through skills development. In 2024, the company provided business and hospitality skills training to 9,951 individuals, surpassing its annual target by 68 percent.
Through the Learning for Life Initiative, EABL empowered 4,570 women with training in business and hospitality skills, including budgeting, timekeeping, negotiation, and mixology, enabling them to secure employment or start their own businesses.
EABL also successfully implemented a project to take back used spirit bottles from the market. Through this initiative, F24 collected more than 17 million bottles, creating employment for over 500 youth involved in collection, washing, sorting, and storage.
With the biomass plants now fully operational, EABL has increased the use of renewable energy to 75.49 percent of its total power consumption.
