Introduction
Not too long ago, Turky’s Group began as a local tailoring mart and has since burgeoned into a multinational corporation. Founded in the 1980s by brothers Salim, Murtadha, the late Yunus, and their late father, Mr. Hassan Turky, the firm has undergone a remarkable transformation. Under the stewardship of Mr. Toufiq Salim Turky and Abdallah Salim Turky, the next generation of entrepreneurs, the Group has emerged as a leading conglomerate in Tanzania. While headquartered in Zanzibar, the Vigor Group has established a formidable presence not only in Mainland Tanzania but also in the Union of Comoros.
The Vigor Group has solidified its position across diverse sectors, notably in the Services Sector with a focus on Health Care, Hospitality, Automobile, and Real Estate. Additionally, it has made significant strides in the manufacturing sector, encompassing bottling, packaging, cement, and oil and gas. The Group is also involved in merchandising, particularly in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and Construction. Furthermore, it has made notable contributions to the construction and logistics sectors, particularly through its impact on shipping and port services. In the energy sector, the company specializes in renewable energy solutions.
“We have made Turky’s Group to be one of the leading conglomerates in Tanzania,” says Mr. Toufiq Salim Turky, the firms Group Chairman.
Mr Toufiq says their aim is to be a pioneer in offering top-notch products and services to the general public at rates they can afford, wherever the firm does its business.
“We want to make an investment into supplies, and services and have local manpower. This will benefit the society as it will bring in money and create jobs for locals,” he says.
The Chairman says as a global federation of companies, the Group, has seen incredible opportunity to drive positive change in the lives of its stakeholders. The Group believes that ‘doing good’ goes beyond philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility, but it is a guide for conducting business.
According to the Turky’s Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Abdallah Salim Turky, through their firm initiatives, they have been able to empower many people in Zanzibar to achieve their dreams and passions, while at the same time building communities and nurturing the planet and upholding ethical governance.
Mr. Abdallah says Vigor collaborates with government agencies, and other organizations that share its values in the effort to improve the lives of the people in Zanzibar and in places the firm operates.
“We work together with foreign organisations by exchanging ideas, learning from each other on expertise on how best to serve the community and prevent recurring events,” he says.
According to him, the firm is dedicated to upholding the best level of care and it compassionately attends to the needs of the neighbourhood to deliver cutting-edge, high-quality, and affordable healthcare services, women’s empowerment, education, and information to better improve community’s health and well-being.
He mentioned some of the services offered by Turky’s Group as including logistics where the firm’s financial service SARL has set up the installation of container scanner at the port of Moroni in the Union of Comoros’ port, undertaking daily operation on behalf of Customs Department under the government of the Union of Comoros.
In the Comoros, the firm is responsible for the smooth operation and maintenance of the scanner unit. Turky’s Group also offers merchandise services known as Zenji General Merchandise which was established with a clear objective of providing daily needs of Zanzibaris like food, household materials, construction material – supplying high quality products at cost effective price.
Zenj General Merchandise is one of the largest importers and stockiest of food products and construction material in Zanzibar. It is pioneered in distributing its products to different areas of Zanzibar by way of Vigor outlets. Zenj has come a long way making numerous remarkable contributions in the construction development in Zanzibar.
Over the years, it has won delight in outstanding customer loyalty by way of repeat business from clients, and it promises to be a clear leader in providing best products and services that redefine value for the customer’s money.
It also stands proudly with a legacy of around three decades, along with an established network of retailers across Zanzibar and Mainland Tanzania, a host of strategically placed owned shops and branches across the country.
This fuels Zenj Merchandise to continually move forward, evolve and bring the winds of change for the country and citizen with its product range. It packages packages FMCG food products like rice (IND/PAK), local rice (Mbeya), basmati 1121, vegetable cooking oil, sunflower oil, yeast, wheat flour and sugar.
Turky’s Group has also a bottling firm, Zainab Bottlers- which is one of the firms’ major investments. It started with a vision to produce and sell affordable, quality beverages to the people of Zanzibar.
In Information Technology (IT), Turky’s Group has what is called, the POS integration and operation- a smart infrastructure development project for efficient tax collection for the Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Union of Comoros.
The project successfully set up the server, developed software, and supplied necessary hardware on behalf of the Ministry of Finance. Vigor Financial Service SARL, actively involves on-site support and regular troubleshooting while providing training for the ministry staff and its clients for smooth operation.
In Information Technology (IT), Turky’s Group has what is called, the POS integration and operation- a smart infrastructure development project for efficient tax collection for the Ministry of Finance of the Government of the Union of Comoros.
The project successfully set up the server, developed software, and supplied necessary hardware on behalf of the Ministry of Finance. Vigor Financial Service SARL, actively involves on-site support and regular troubleshooting while providing training for the ministry staff and its clients for smooth operation.
In the merchandise sector, the firm manufactures and packages household goods like, white detergent, match box, bar soap and V-gas.
It also produces construction materials like, steel bars with ASTM standards, corrugated iron sheets, gypsum boards, gypsum powder, white cement, tiles, nails, binding wire and handmade blocks.
Mr. Abdallah says in the manufacturing sector, the firm has a cement production plant- the KCC, cement division of Turky’s Group of companies which is located at Kazimzumbwi, Kisarawe district.
“We have also a factory that packages bags where we have invested as a contribution to the growing and sustainability of the economy,” he says.
Hospitals, Hotels, Real Estates and Automobile
The firm has built and is running a modern multi-specialty hospital situated in the old tourist’s magnet Stone Town of Zanzibar at Vuga which was established in March 2015.
Turky’s Group is also running hospitality division industry under the brand and franchise agreement with Golden Tulip Hotels in Tanzania and Grand Comoros.
In real estate, there is a brand which provides fully-furnished luxury apartments, lavish independent villas to premium guests and investors.
The firm has also invested heavily in automobile with Habib Euro Diesel, an affiliate of Al Shahid Diesel System of Dubai, providing all types of Diesel system solution and engineering services.
In the energy sector, Turky’s Group focuses on renewable energy Project where it has the PV ESS System energy plant and has installed the Hybrid PV- BESS, a PV-ESS System energy plant located in Anjouan to supply electricity to the National Electric Company of Comoros (SONELEC).
The project is into the installation of Hybrid PV-BESS System which will consist of 5.048 MW, with a very strong innovative character as it is a micro grid with very high penetration of renewable energy.
The project will also be part of the wider project involving the island of Moheli at the Comoros archipelago.
The firm, according to the Group CEO Mr. Abdallah therefore believes that the success of the Group rests on its people, and the organization rewards initiative, skill, and dedication.
He says the firm will ensure it recruit job seekers across industries depending on business needs, their skills and professional interest, and competency.
“We will provide internal growth opportunities to employees across all industries, from manufacturing, services, healthcare and hospitality, all under one umbrella,” he says.
Conclusion
The Vigor Group stands as a remarkable exemplar of a family business that has surpassed the aspirations of its founders for numerous compelling reasons. The new generation has adeptly capitalized on available opportunities to firmly establish a diverse portfolio of investments spanning services, real estate, hospitality, manufacturing, and various technologies.
Undoubtedly, their parents take pride in witnessing their legacy not only sustained but elevated to heights they themselves once strived for. In the realm of family businesses, continuity through generations is paramount, and those who have inherited the mantle have admirably fulfilled the responsibility entrusted to them.
The success story of the Vigor Group is indeed a rare gem within the landscape of family businesses in Zanzibar.
