Kibo Palace Hotel is Top 100 winner for 2018
Information, Culture, Sports and Arts minister Harrison Mwakyembe hands over the trophy for the second position to Gopa Contractors managing director Godfrefy Mogela (3rd left) and the company’s project coordinator Samson Beatus (2nd right) at the Top 100 Mid-sized Companies survey awards gala held in Dar es Salaam on Thursday. Looking on (from left) are KPMG partner Ketan Shah, NMB Bank managing director Ineke Bussemaker and MCL managing director Francis Nanai (right). PHOTO|ERICKY BONIPHACE
What you need to know:
- Winners of the eighth Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey 2018 were announced at a colourful ceremony Thursday, paving the way for them to enjoy a wide range of benefits -- from business networking, advisory service and assistance to lobbying for a better business climate
Dar es Salaam. Arusha-based Kibo Palace Hotel and Resort on Thursday night emerged the overall winners of the eighth episode of the Tanzania Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey 2018.
The Survey, which recognises mid-sized firms that have shown entrepreneurial excellence, is the brainchild of Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), through The Citizen brand, and KPMG, a top audit, tax and advisory firm.
The first and second runners-up are Dar es Salaam-based Gopa Contractors Ltd and JSP Marketing Link Ltd, respectively. Other winners on the top five list are Magilatech and Bright and Belly Ltd at fourth and fifth places, respectively.
Mr Mali Laswai, the Kibo Palace Hotel and Resort director, says it was his team’s commitment that saw his firm scooping the top prize.
He says despite participating several times without featuring on the top 10 list, they never gave up, believing they would make it one day.
“We had a dream to emerge the overall winners of the Survey, so we had to come up with a committed team, to keep the momentum going,” says Mr Laswai.
Gopa Contractors Ltd chief executive officer and managing director Godfrey Mogelah tells The Citizen that their victory also did not take them by surprise. It was the culmination of a period of planning.
“When we started participating in the Top 100 Survey in 2016, we were optimistic that we will one day feature on the list of the top three, banking our hopes on a committed good team that we have,” says Mr Mogelah.
In 2016, Gopa Constructors Ltd stood at the 18th position before dropping to number 23 in the following year.
JSP Marketing Link Ltd managing director Simon Makole says hard work is the driving force behind his five-year-old company’s victory.
It’s the first time for them to participate in Top 100 Survey. “I was caught by surprise; it’s not easy to feature on the top three list the very first time we are participating,” says Mr Makole.
For eligibility, firms are required to have an annual turnover of between Sh1 billion and Sh20 billion. They also must provide audited financial performance statements for three years, among other requirements.
The search for the winners includes face-to-face interviews, as well as self-completion general and financial questionnaire.
Qualifying companies enjoy a number of benefits, ranging from business networking, advisory service, and assistance to lobby government for a better working environment.
Dar es Salaam-based BQ Contractors was the first winner of the event in 2011.
In 2012 and 2013, Mwanza-based Kipipa Millers won the accolade.
In 2014, the mantle went to Arusha-based Helvetic Solar Contractors, before Softnet Technologies Limited scooped the big prize in 2015.
Flightlink Ltd and Dar Ceremica Centre 2001 emerged the overall winners in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Three companies that were feted last year and have graduated to club 1o1, which means they have grown their turnover to above Sh20 billion, were also recognised.
They were Sayona Drinks Ltd, AMC Tanzania Ltd and CSI Electrical Ltd.
