ABF Sugar Chief Executive Officer, Paul Kenward, recently visited Zambia Sugar’s Nakambala Estate alongside Associated British Foods (ABF) Director Richard Morrison and other members of the ABF Sugar Executive team, where they commended the company’s strong leadership, safety culture, and ongoing investments in strategic infrastructure projects.
During the visit, the delegation met with the Zambia Sugar Board, the Nakambala leadership team, and employees across various departments. Discussions centred on business strategy, operational excellence, and the importance of maintaining a strong safety culture.
Paul Kenward also engaged directly with employees at their workstations, holding safety conversations and expressing his appreciation for the commitment and dedication demonstrated by the workforce.
“The best performing ABF companies are those where the managers appear to run them daily like they are the owners,” he said, acknowledging the strong leadership culture that has become a hallmark of Zambia Sugar’s operations.
Kenward further praised Zambia Sugar Managing Director Oswald Magwenzi, the leadership team, employees, and contractors for institutionalising Safety Week as part of the company’s annual calendar. He encouraged the workforce to continue embracing the company’s safety ambition, which seeks “to get everyone home safely, every day, everywhere, with no compromises.”
The ABF delegation also reviewed progress on the US$76 million Twazabuka Project and toured other major investments, including the Falling Film Evaporator (FFE) and Turbo Alternator 6 (TA6), which forms part of the phased expansion of the Nakambala Power Plant to a capacity of 100 megawatts.
Once commissioned later this year, TA6 is expected to increase the plant’s generating capacity from the current 40MW to 53MW, further strengthening Zambia Sugar’s operational efficiency and energy capabilities.
ABF Director Richard Morrison commended the Zambia Sugar Board, management, and staff for their performance and praised the company’s continued investment in infrastructure that enhances safety and wellbeing. He highlighted improvements in roads and drainage systems, quality housing, effective separation of people and vehicles, factory equipment guarding, and several other safety initiatives being implemented across the estate.
The delegation was particularly impressed by the Busongo Programme, which focuses on promoting positive safety behaviours among employees, contractors, and surrounding communities.
Zambia Sugar Board Chairperson, Mrs Roseta Chabala, thanked the ABF delegation for visiting the estate and assured them that the investment made by Associated British Foods was in capable hands.
She reaffirmed Zambia Sugar’s commitment to remaining one of the strongest performers within the ABF Sugar portfolio and commended Managing Director Oswald Magwenzi and the leadership team for delivering strong results and driving positive transformation across Nakambala Estate.
The visit underscored Zambia Sugar’s continued focus on operational excellence, employee wellbeing, and strategic investments aimed at securing sustainable growth while maintaining its position as one of the leading businesses within the ABF Sugar group.
