Billionaire Mohammed Dewji to invest US$50.4M in Mombasa soft drinks plant
MeTL Group plans to establish a carbonated drinks factory in Mombasa as part of its expansion into Kenya’s beverage, energy and hospitality sectors.
KENYA – Mohammed Dewji is set to invest Kes 6.5 billion (US$50.37M) in a new soft drinks manufacturing plant in Mombasa through Mohammed Enterprises Tanzania Limited, marking the company’s first major expansion into Kenya’s beverages market.
According to Business Daily, the planned investment will involve the construction of a carbonated drinks manufacturing facility expected to break ground within the next year.
Once operational, the plant will produce MeTL Group’s beverage brands, including Mo Cola, Mo Xtra and Mo Malto, products that have gained popularity in Tanzania through their affordable pricing strategy targeting mass-market consumers.
Mo Cola, named after Mohammed Dewji, has been central to the company’s efforts to compete with multinational soft drink brands by offering lower-cost alternatives in East Africa’s growing beverage market.
Dewji confirmed that the project is currently in its planning stages, with the company already securing land in Mombasa ahead of the proposed construction.
“I’m setting up a plant in Uganda, and I have land in Mombasa now, and I’m looking into setting up a carbonated soft drink plant,” Mr Dewji said in an interview with Business Daily.
“We are right now at the drawing table, but we think that it is very possible that within 12 months, we may be able to break ground,” he added.
The investment highlights MeTL Group’s growing regional expansion strategy as the company seeks to strengthen its presence across East Africa’s consumer goods sector.
Dewji noted that Kenya remains an attractive investment destination due to its large economy and strategic position as a regional business hub.
Beyond the beverages sector, the businessman said MeTL Group is also exploring investment opportunities in Kenya’s energy and hospitality industries as part of its broader diversification strategy.
MeTL Group is one of Tanzania’s largest conglomerates, with operations spanning manufacturing, agriculture, trading, logistics and energy. The company produces a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including sugar, edible oils, beverages, fuel, flour, textiles and household goods.
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