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SKOL Brewery Ltd
SKOL Brewery Ltd produces a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic malted beverages, along with Virunga Water, the first bottled water in returnable glass bottles.
© 2025 SKOL Brewery Ltd _ Drink Responsibly
SKOL Brewery Ltd produces a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic malted beverages, along with Virunga Water, the first bottled water in returnable glass bottles.
SKOL Brewery Ltd produces a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic malted beverages, along with Virunga Water, the first bottled water in returnable glass bottles.
Kigali, Rwanda – February 25th, 2025 – SKOL Brewery Ltd. (SBL) proudly marks its 15th anniversary, celebrating a decade and a half of commitment to quality, innovation, and positive impact in Rwanda. Since launching its operations in 2009, SBL has grown into a key player in the beverage industry, introducing popular brands such as SKOL Malt, SKOL Lager, Virunga Beer, Panache, Maltona, and Gatanu, as well as Virunga Water, the country’s first bottled water in returnable glass bottles.
Through continued investment, the brewery has not only contributed to strengthening Rwanda’s economic landscape but also made significant contributions through annual tax revenues, job creation, and export growth. Today, SBL employs over 570 direct and indirect staff and supports thousands more through its extended supply chain, further boosting the country’s economic resilience.
During the event, Eric Gilson, General Manager of SKOL Brewery Ltd., expressed his gratitude and reaffirmed the brewery’s commitment to Rwanda, stating: “As we celebrate 15 years of growth, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for creating a conducive business environment that has allowed us to thrive and contribute to the national economy. Our success would not be possible without the dedication of our distributors, the trust of financial institutions, and the hard work of our employees, whose commitment drives our excellence every day. I would also like to extend a special thank you to our shareholder, Mr Thibault Relecom and his family, whose strategic vision and continuous commitment has guided our innovation, sustainability, and community engagement efforts. Looking ahead, SKOL Brewery Ltd. remains committed to contributing to Rwanda’s industrial and economic development, ensuring that our impact extends beyond business to the heart of the Rwandan society.”
Thibault Relecom, SKOL Brewery Ltd.’s Shareholder, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the brewery’s commitment to innovation and collaboration: “As we celebrate 15 years of success at SBL, I am immensely proud of how far we have come. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our employees, the trust of our customers, and the strong partnerships we have built. Our journey has been driven by innovation, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. As we look to the future, we remain focused on growth, sustainability, and creating lasting impact. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey here’s to even greater achievements ahead!”
Beyond business growth, SKOL Brewery Ltd. remains deeply committed to sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The company has pioneered eco-friendly packaging with returnable glass bottles and implemented water conservation measures with its wastewater treatment plant that converts wastewater into biogas and allows water re-usage, significantly reducing its environmental footprint while enhancing energy efficiency. Reinforcing its dedication to sustainability, SBL recently partnered with TotalEnergies to transition to Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for its boilers and forklifts. Additionally, in collaboration with local partners, SBL took part in the “One Shot, One Tree” initiative in 2024, planting 50 trees for every goal scored by the Rayon Sports Women’s team during the championship, reinforcing its dedication to environmental conservation and community engagement.
Beyond its commitment to sustainability, over the past 15 years SBL has actively contributed to community development through impactful CSR initiatives in education, health, and economic empowerment. In collaboration with partners such as UTAB, FXB Rwanda and Rayon Sports, the brewery has invested in youth development and sports infrastructure, including the construction of SKOL football pitch in Nzove, a basketball pitch at UTAB, and direct support for player development in cycling and football mostly. These efforts reflect SBL’s broader vision of fostering long-term social and economic growth in Rwanda.
The 15th anniversary celebration brought together key stakeholders, government representatives, business leaders, and community members to reflect on shared achievements and reaffirm SBL’s commitment aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050. Guests experienced a guided brewery tour, witnessing SBL’s state-of-the-art brewing processes, sustainability efforts, and ongoing innovation.
The event also included a special recognition ceremony to honour long-standing distributors who have been instrumental in SBL’s growth since its inception, celebrating their dedication and invaluable contribution to the company’s success.
As SKOL Brewery Ltd. celebrates this remarkable milestone, it reaffirms its commitment to excellence, sustainability, and community empowerment, ensuring a brighter, more prosperous future for Rwanda and beyond.
