Tanzania’s booze drought as beer prices in Zanzibar soar

Tourist hotels and bars on Tanzania’s archipelago have been forced to serve just soft drinks as supply chain disruptions continue to cause an alcohol shortage. Zanzibar is facing a shortage of alcohol, with beer prices soaring by almost 100% due to scarcity. Zanzibar’s population is majority Muslim, and the local manufacture of alcohol is banned in Tanzania’s archipelago. Most of the alcohol sold on the islands comes either from the mainland or is imported from South Africa. According to a BBC report, the initial shortage came earlier this year, triggered by the Zanzibar Liquor Control Board (ZLCB) delaying licensing permits for its three established importers. These importers — One Stop, Scotch Store, and ZMMI — have supplied alcohol to the islands for over 20 years. In January, the ZLCB also granted licences to three new companies — Kifaru, Bevko and Zanzi Imports. However, the issue is yet to be resolved, as the new firms are caught up in a lengthy vetting process. Only ...