Tanga, Tanzania — Mkonge Tanzania Ltd has completed a major expansion project following a $5 million investment in modern processing equipment and infrastructure. The upgrade has increased the company’s production capacity by 30%, positioning it to meet rising global demand for natural fibers.
Tanzania Sisal Export Earnings Rise 15% in 2024
The expansion comes at a time when Tanzania’s sisal export earnings have grown by 15%, driven by renewed global interest in sustainable and biodegradable materials.
150 New Jobs Created in Tanga Region
As part of the upgrade, the company has created 150 new permanent jobs, bringing total employment to over 500 workers. The improved capacity also increases opportunities for more than 2,000 smallholder farmers supplying sisal leaves to the facility.
State-of-the-Art, Sustainable Operations
The investment includes high-efficiency decorticating machines, an automated grading facility, a 15,000 m² warehouse expansion, and a solar energy system that now provides 60% of the plant’s power. New water recycling systems have also reduced consumption by 35%, supporting the company’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2025.
Sisal in Automotive: Growing Applications
With industries worldwide shifting toward natural fiber alternatives, sisal is seeing increasing use in automotive components, textiles, and industrial materials. Clients in Europe, North America, and Asia have already expressed strong interest in securing long-term supply agreements.
Looking Ahead
This expansion marks the largest investment in the company’s history and forms a key part of its five-year strategy to strengthen Tanzania’s leadership in the global sisal market.