Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL) has showcased its advanced Tatu City manufacturing facility to more than 50 female business executives and industrialists, highlighting the role of modern production, local value addition and inclusive leadership in accelerating industrialisation.
The visit, organised under the Kenya Association of Manufacturers’ (KAM) Women in Manufacturing (WiM) programme, marked the 10th edition of its industry visit series, bringing together business leaders to explore manufacturing technologies, automation and opportunities for women in industry.
Manufacturing contributes 7.6% of the gross domestic product, with the government targeting grow it to 20% by 2030. The sector supports more than 330,000 formal jobs, alongside millions of livelihoods across agricultural and supply chains.
KWAL Managing Director Lina Githuka says investment in modern production facilities and inclusive leadership would be critical to achieving the country’s industrial ambitions while strengthening domestic production and preserving foreign exchange.
“Local manufacturing is not just about output; it is the cornerstone of sustainable economic transformation, job creation and foreign exchange preservation,” says Githuka.
She says empowering women to take leadership positions across manufacturing value chains, from factory operations to boardrooms, would strengthen the sector’s competitiveness.
The delegation toured KWAL’s beverage production and packaging lines before holding discussions on regulatory changes, sustainable manufacturing, automation and business expansion.
KAM, Regulatory and Policy Manager, Lynda Oluoch says women-led enterprises account for approximately a third of Kenya’s micro, small and medium-sized industries but remain underrepresented in senior industrial leadership.
Githuka says the KWAL Tatu City plant, developed through a multi-billion-shilling investment, operates advanced environmental, quality-control and automated supply-chain systems. The facility was recently certified as Kenya’s only EDGE Advanced-certified manufacturer.