Table of Contents
Key Points
- Michelle Kilpin is the first female Managing Director of Tanzania Breweries, highlighting her leadership and promoting gender diversity in Africa's corporate sector.
- With over 20 years of experience, Kilpin’s career progressed from sales rep to leading AB InBev’s African operations, including Zambian Breweries.
- Kilpin aims to navigate Tanzania Breweries through rising costs and declining earnings, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and long-term profitability.
South African business executive Michelle Kilpin, the newly appointed Managing Director (MD) of Tanzania Breweries Public Limited (Tanzania Breweries), has firmly positioned herself as a trailblazer in Africa's corporate landscape.
Her appointment is a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman to lead Tanzania’s largest publicly listed company.
This achievement not only solidifies Kilpin’s standing as one of Africa’s top business leaders but also highlights her critical role in advancing gender diversity within the corporate sector.
From sales rep to industry leader
Kilpin’s career, which spans over two decades, is a testament to her unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership. She began her career in 2004, right after graduating from the University of Johannesburg with a Bachelor of Commerce Honors in Marketing Management.
Her first role was as a sales representative at South African Breweries, where she quickly rose through the ranks. By 2007, she was appointed Sales Manager, and by 2011, she became the Sales Business Integration Manager. Her work ethic propelled her further, eventually earning her the role of Formal On-Premise Channel Manager before she left the company in 2017.
In 2017, the South African business executive made a defining move when she joined AB InBev, the Belgium-based brewing giant, following its acquisition of South African Breweries and Zambian Breweries. Her success in South Africa laid the foundation for an impressive career trajectory across AB InBev’s African operations.
In January 2021, she was appointed Innovation Director for AB InBev’s African Zone, and later became the Country Director at Zambian Breweries. There, she led the company through one of the most challenging periods in recent history—the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her resilience and strategic leadership during this time ensured the brewery’s operations remained robust despite global disruptions. Under her guidance, Zambian Breweries saw significant topline growth and strengthened its market position, even amid the global downturn.
Kilpin takes charge amid rising costs
Kilpin’s success at Zambian Breweries paved the way for her groundbreaking appointment at Tanzania Breweries, a company with nearly a century of history. Her leadership comes at a critical juncture for Tanzania Breweries, as it grapples with increasing production costs, which have been exacerbated by a rise in excise duty rates in mid-2023.
The company has also faced a sustained decline in earnings through the first half of 2024. In her new role, Kilpin has been tasked with guiding the company through these turbulent waters, with a keen focus on sustainability, growth, and long-term profitability.
Under Kilpin’s leadership, Tanzania Breweries aims to address these challenges while continuing to be a pillar of Tanzania’s economy. The company, which produces and distributes a wide range of beverages including malt beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and alcoholic fruit beverages, is a major employer in the country, creating over one million direct and indirect jobs.
The strategic direction she has set includes significant capital expenditure, with Tsh27.77 billion ($10.6 million) invested in the second quarter of 2024 alone. Kilpin has emphasized her commitment to driving revenue growth despite escalating input costs and exchange rate depreciation.
Reflecting on Tanzania Breweries' financial performance, Kilpin stated, “We remain focused on the consistent execution of our business plan by investing behind our brands, innovation, and digital transformation. We continue to drive revenue growth despite challenges arising from escalating input costs and the depreciation of the Tanzanian Shilling against the US dollar.”
Kilpin's leadership to drive growth
Michelle Kilpin's appointment as CEO of Tanzania Breweries is a milestone for the company and a significant step for women in leadership across Africa.
Her experience with AB InBev and Zambian Breweries, combined with her leadership at Tanzania Breweries, showcases her ability to navigate complex business challenges.
Kilpin’s vision for the company and her leadership are poised to inspire the next generation of female executives across Africa. With a track record of resilience, she is positioned to drive sustainable growth and strengthen Tanzania Breweries’ position in Africa’s beverage industry.
