Africa-Press – Tanzania. December 4th, 2021, this day marks a momentous milestone as Tanzania Cigarette Company (Plc) (TCC) engaged in manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and sale of cigarettes inside and outside Tanzania—in DRC, Mozambique, Zambia, Namibia and Mauritius—celebrates its 60th year in Tanzania.
TCC has a strong history in Tanzania as it was officially launched by the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere on December 4th, 1961, only a few days before Tanzania was declared an independent nation by Great Britain. This was a great honor for TCC as Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was and still is one of the most respected leaders of the African soil.
The Chronology of the company’s’ success shows an enormous historical background of how the company has progressed over the decades & its strong foundation.
In 1967, when the country was going through Arusha declaration, the Government nationalized the company acquiring 60 per cent stake from it.
In 1975 the Government took over the remaining 40 per cent stake to become the sole owner of the company. In 1999, Japan Tobacco International (JTI) bought the 51 per cent stake from TCC and in 2000; TCC was listed in the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange and increased its stake to 75 per cent.
Since then, the value of TCC’s shares has continued to grow to become the highest in the Dar es Salaam stock market. The overall contribution and performance of TCC has consistently grown over the years reaching a production capacity of about 10 billion sticks per annum while maintaining an average of 90 per cent share of market over the past 18 months.
Patricia Mhondo, TCC Corporate affairs and Communications Director, quoted “As we continue to expand, our contribution to the government has also increased reaching an annual average tax of over 200bn/-”.
TCC General Manager and CEO Mr Michal Bachan stated this year; TCC is celebrating 60 years of operations in style as they continue to record excellent results. Despite the Covid 19 challenges over the past 2 years, TCC has recorded an outstanding performance in the first half of the year.
“Both domestic and export volumes have grown by 16.5 per cent and 3.7 per cent respectively while overall volume increased by 12.5 per cent. “This volume growth reflects the strength of the revised domestic distribution model. With these results, the company is optimistic about the results of the second half of the year in December,” Mr Bachan said.
They believe this has been possible because of the unwavering commitment of their workforce who are assets to the organization with invaluable contribution to the business. Mr Bachan said “TCC focuses on investing in people’s health, welfare and talent. We have enhanced the working dynamics and raised the standards which have been acknowledged both nationally and internationally. This has led to innumerable accolades for our company”.
In 2021, TCC has been recognized as the ‘Top Employer’ for the fourth year in a row by the Top Employer Institute.
In addition, TCC achieved gold level certification in ‘Investors in People’ certification, an assessment on how the company offers an improved working culture by putting their people first and striking the right work-life balance for building a stronger, healthier and happier society.
Over the years, the strong leadership & resolute investment in people has paved the way for 25 Tanzanians to work on international assignments in different positions outside of Tanzania, for instance as Vice President, Directors and Managers, in different countries including Switzerland, UK, Canada, Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Sudan, Geneva, Iran, Jordan, Ethiopia, UAE and so forth.
TCC continues to give back to the community directly and indirectly through partnership with social and cultural partners to promote a holistic and inclusive sustainable transformation of livelihood. In the past 12 months, TCC has supported various programs in economic empowerment and poverty alleviation, donation of assistive devices to people with disability and programs in arts and culture.
The company has donated 2,326 assistive devices—213 tricycles, 937 pairs of crutches and 1,176 white canes—to people with disabilities. They have also supported 29 groups of less privileged women and young adults with facilities—155 sewing machines, 5 oil pressing machines, 3 maize mills machines and 2 vibratorsfor bricks making—to improve their businesses.
The company prides on having sponsored over 100 students in arts and culture to study at Bagamoyo College of Arts (in both certificate and diploma). From next year, TCC in collaboration with Embassy of Japan will support a scholarship program for qualified Tanzanians to study for Master’s degree courses in Japan.
Overall, the last 60 years showcase a marvelous journey, a story of success, of an unending vision, ofperseverance and perfection; of dedication and hard work, of leadership in business and unconditional community service, all of this together has helped strengthen the foundation of TCC.
The company jubilantly commemorates this milestone achievement celebrating 60 glorious years as a proudly Tanzanian company.
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