When a bank chooses to back a farm, it is not just lending money. It is betting on livelihoods, local markets, and the quiet work of building an industry where it is needed most. That is exactly what the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank, TADB, has done in Kimbwela village, Simbo ward, Kigoma Region by supporting Mayai Ltd, a large-scale egg-laying poultry factory owned by investor Rupinder Sandhu.
This is more than a single business opening. It is a signal that agribusiness and rural industrialization are moving from ambition into reality.
A factory that already moves the dial
Mayai Ltd is already producing around 3,000 trays of eggs each day, which equates to roughly 90,000 trays every month. For a region that has often relied on supply from other parts of the country, that kind of output is a game changer. It increases local availability, stabilizes prices, and keeps money circulating inside Kigoma instead of leaking outward to distant markets.
TADB provided critical financial muscle. According to the company’s managing director, Rupinder Sandhu, 80 percent of the project budget was financed through loans and backing from the bank. That support reduced the risk barrier for the investor and accelerated construction and operation, turning plans into production faster than would otherwise have been possible.
Jobs and community wins
The factory is already a source of employment. More than 40 local workers have been hired to date, and the project is prioritizing residents who live near the site while also opening positions to other Tanzanians. Beyond those direct jobs, the factory is creating temporary labor opportunities during construction and ongoing roles in distribution, feed supply, and ancillary services.
The development footprint goes beyond payroll. Mayai Ltd has invested in community projects that bring immediate and tangible benefits. Drilled water wells improve access to safe water. Electricity has been extended to reach the factory and nearby homes. Road improvements make it easier for farmers, traders, and health workers to move goods and people. The company is also supporting the building of schools and health facilities in surrounding villages. For families in Kimbwela and neighboring communities, those upgrades change daily life.
Why this matters for regional food security
Kigoma, Tabora, and Katavi make up the Western Zone, and TADB officials say the new facility ranks among the largest poultry investments there. By boosting local egg supply, the operation helps reduce dependence on eggs transported long distances. Shorter supply chains are less prone to delays and spoilage and they help stabilize retail prices, so households can count on affordable protein.
A reliable, local supply of eggs also supports small traders, school feeding programs, and informal markets where many Tanzanians buy their food. When production sits in the region, profits and opportunities stay closer to home.
A model of public-private collaboration
TADB’s role in financing Mayai Ltd fits within a wider government strategy of channeling capital into agribusiness and rural industry. This is not charity. It is investment with an expectation of returns that also carry social benefits. When financial institutions provide long term financing for productive projects, they enable entrepreneurs to scale operations, buy better equipment, and meet regulatory standards that open doors to larger markets.
That bank backing matters most for projects that require significant upfront capital, like poultry factories that need housing for tens of thousands of birds, reliable feed supplies, and cold chain logistics. With 80 percent of the financing coming from TADB, Mayai Ltd had the breathing room to commit to local hiring and community improvements from day one.
The ripple effects for the local economy
The presence of a major poultry facility can spur new businesses. Feed mills expand or are created, transporters gain regular contracts, input suppliers increase stock, and smallholder farmers may find opportunities to supply maize or other feed ingredients. Traders and market stalls enjoy a steady source of eggs to sell. Together, these ripple effects create a more resilient local economy and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.
Scaling responsibly
Building scale matters, but so does doing it responsibly. Early signs from the project indicate attention to community needs and infrastructure. As production grows, continued emphasis on biosecurity, worker safety, environmental management of waste, and fair labor practices will be essential. These measures protect the investment and the community that supports it.
What to watch next
Key indicators to follow include how the factory expands production capacity, the number of permanent jobs created, the volume of eggs that remain in the Western Zone versus what is shipped elsewhere, and the durability of community improvements like water and health facilities. If Mayai Ltd scales as intended and other investors follow, Kigoma could become a regional supply hub for poultry products.
TADB’s financing of Mayai Ltd is a concrete example of how targeted banking support can turn agricultural potential into local prosperity. The factory is producing tens of thousands of trays of eggs monthly, creating jobs, and funding community infrastructure. If managed with care and scaled responsibly, the Kigoma poultry plant could do more than meet demand. It could help rewrite the economic future of a region by keeping food, income, and opportunities closer to home.
Stay updated with the latest farming tips and agriculture industry news from Africa by subscribing to our newsletter. Don’t miss out on valuable insights and updates. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to join our farming community and stay connected with us.
