Elizabeth Swai is a trailblazing Tanzanian entrepreneur and a driving force in the agricultural sector, particularly in the poultry industry. As the founder and Managing Director of AKM Glitters Company Limited, she has pioneered an innovative franchise model that has transformed the lives of over 300,000 farmers across 25 regions in Tanzania. Her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to inclusive development have not only reshaped the poultry industry but also empowered rural communities, particularly women and youth, to achieve economic independence. In addition to her entrepreneurial endeavors, Swai is the founder of Voice of Agriculture Media, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Tanzania.
Early Career and Education: A Foundation for Impact
Elizabeth Swai’s journey began in the humanitarian sector, where she spent 15 years working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Programme (WFP). Her experience in community development and international relations laid the groundwork for her passion for empowering rural communities through agribusiness. Swai holds academic qualifications in Human Development and Entrepreneurship, reflecting her dedication to social impact and sustainable development.
In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Swai serves as an Assistant Lecturer at Mwenge Catholic University, where she specializes in Marketing Management. This role allows her to share her expertise and inspire the next generation of business leaders, further cementing her commitment to education and mentorship.
AKM Glitters Company Limited: A Model for Sustainable Agribusiness
Founded in 2007, AKM Glitters Company Limited was established to address the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in Tanzania, including limited access to quality inputs, training, and financial services. The company’s name carries a meaningful story: “AKM” represents the initials of its three founding shareholders, while “Glitters” symbolizes Swai’s vision of empowering individuals and communities to shine.
Today, AKM Glitters is a registered entity with the Tanzania Investment Centre and holds an ISO 9001:2015 certification, underscoring its commitment to quality and compliance. The company employs 78 full-time staff and operates two Kuroiler Parent Stock Farms, a hatchery, and a feed mill in Tanzania Mainland.
Innovative Franchise Model: Empowering Women and Families
At the heart of AKM Glitters’ success is its unique “brooder model” franchise system, which focuses on empowering women (who make up 70% of franchisees) and family units (30%). The company specializes in the Kuroiler breed, a dual-purpose chicken known for its high egg and meat production, making it ideal for the Tanzanian context.
Franchisees receive a comprehensive support package, including:
- Day-old chicks for a healthy start to their poultry ventures.
- Feeds to ensure optimal growth and nutrition.
- Vaccines and drugs to protect against diseases.
- Drinkers and feeders for efficient poultry management.
- Poultry guidebooks offering practical advice on best practices.
- Training and extension services to equip farmers with essential skills.
This holistic approach enables franchisees to rear chickens for about four weeks and sell them, typically earning a 20-30% profit margin. To date, AKM Glitters has established over 480 small-sized franchises, impacting more than 1.2 million smallholder farmers. The company plans to expand to Zanzibar, further extending its reach and impact.
Commitment to Social Impact
AKM Glitters is deeply committed to creating positive social change. Its goals include:
- Increasing women and youth involvement in income generation, promoting gender equality and economic empowerment.
- Contributing to the socio-economic development of rural households, reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.
- Improving household nutrition by enhancing access to affordable poultry products.
To further support its franchisees, AKM Glitters has introduced a Financial Inclusion Model in partnership with eProd Solutions Limited. This initiative provides farmers with access to credit and financial management tools, fostering financial transparency and enabling smallholder farmers to grow their businesses.
Overcoming Challenges: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Like many businesses, AKM Glitters faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, including disruptions in production and supply chains. Lockdowns in India, where the company sources its parent stock, delayed imports and created shortages of hatching eggs. Additionally, the construction of a new feed mill, financed by a $2 million loan from SEAF, was delayed due to travel restrictions.
Despite these obstacles, Swai demonstrated remarkable resilience. She secured a loan from a local bank to sustain operations, invested in a call center and ambulatory mobile services to maintain farmer support, and implemented daily mentoring sessions for her staff. Her proactive leadership ensured that AKM Glitters emerged stronger from the crisis.
Breaking Gender Barriers: A Role Model for Women Entrepreneurs
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Swai has faced skepticism and criticism. However, she has also received strong support from the Ministry of Livestock and male colleagues, highlighting the importance of collaboration in overcoming gender barriers. Her success serves as an inspiration to aspiring women entrepreneurs, proving that determination and resilience can break down even the toughest barriers.
Leadership and Recognition
Elizabeth Swai’s visionary leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including:
- Malkia wa Nguvu Award (2019)
- Agriculture Award (2019)
- Change Driver Award
- Impact Award
- Women in Management Award
- Women of Achievement in Agribusiness Award
- 2023 Aspirational Leader Award (CEO Roundtable of Tanzania)
In 2023, the Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture (CALA) recognized Swai as a Tanzanian Food Systems Champion and appointed her as the Alumni Country Champion for Tanzania. These honors underscore her significant contributions to agriculture and her role as a catalyst for positive change.
Future Vision: Scaling Impact and Innovation
Looking ahead, Swai aims to expand AKM Glitters’ operations into broiler chicken production and invest in an abattoir to process poultry raised by franchisees. She is also exploring opportunities to locally produce essential inputs like veterinary drugs, safety gear, and feeding systems, reducing reliance on imports and boosting the local economy.
Swai’s vision extends beyond Tanzania. She plans to scale her youth incubation programs nationally and internationally, empowering more young people to pursue careers in agriculture and contribute to global food security.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Empowerment and Innovation
Elizabeth Swai is more than an entrepreneur; she is a transformative leader whose work has redefined the agricultural landscape in Tanzania. Through her innovative business model, commitment to social impact, and resilience in the face of challenges, she has empowered hundreds of thousands of farmers, particularly women and youth, to achieve economic independence.
As she continues to drive innovation and sustainable development, Swai’s legacy will undoubtedly inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and agricultural leaders, not only in Tanzania but across Africa and beyond.