BAT Kenya has expanded its market scope to Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Zambia, a move pointing towards the Group’s business transformation agenda.
This adds to the over 15 countries currently within its Eastern Africa markets portfolio.
Mimi Mavuti, the head of business communication and sustainability for BAT Kenya and East and Southern Africa said the regional office would oversight more than 20 markets.
"These include Uganda, Rwanda, Mauritius, La Reunion, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe and Zambia. This move further enhances Kenya’s profile as a major commercial hub and Africa's business capital," Mavuti said.
Crispin Achola, the Managing Director for BAT Kenya, assumes an expanded mandate as cluster head, BAT East and Southern Africa Markets.
Mavuti added that the expanded mandate would accelerate growth and value delivery for over 4,000 local shareholders, and other stakeholders including over 80,000 Kenyans in the value chain.
He said the expansion reflects the firm's plan back in 2021 that sought new exports markets to compensate for lower consumption of cigarettes in the country.
The firm targeted Djibouti, Madagascar and South Sudan with cigarettes, cut rag tobacco and tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches, Lyft.
Sales from the Kenyan market had dropped by about 14 per cent to Sh11.6 billion the previous year on reduced consumption cigarettes in the wake of regulatory curbs and rising prices following additional taxes.
BAT Kenya contributes approximately $100 million (Sh13.7 billion) annually in foreign exchange to the country.
