A Ventures Africa profile:
Eighty and seven years. That is how long it took for a Kenyan to break into the beer brewing industry - one of East Africa's most lucrative. In a field traditionally dominated by powerful multinational companies and men, one Kenyan woman broke the mould to become the country's first home-grown beer manufacturer. Tabitha Mukami Muigai-Karanja is the Founder and CEO of Keroche Breweries, the first Kenyan-owned beer manufacturer. Hers is a classic entrepreneurial tale: she has battled with banks unwilling to part with desperately needed start-up capital, wealthy and exclusive competitors, uncooperative government officials and even a shut-down of her offices! Yet somehow, Tabitha, has successfully navigated all setbacks and today controls at least 20 percent of Kenya's beer market. In her own words...[continue reading]
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