Overview

Name: AKO Group Limited

Established / Founded: Early 1990s

Headquarters / Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Parent / Affiliation: Subsidiary of SF Group of Companies Limited

Industry / Sector: Facilities services, catering, and auxiliary services such as housekeeping, cleaning, waste management, and landscaping

Scale / Size:
  • Employees: Over 1,600 in primary operations; group-wide more than 2,000
  • Corporate clients: Around 45+
  • Meals produced: On average, about 85,000 meals daily in catering operations

Standards / Certifications: Holds ISO 22000:2018 certification for food safety management systems

Core Services & Business Areas

AKO Group provides a broad range of services beyond catering. Their major offerings include:

Service / Offering Details
Catering / Food Services Large-scale commercial and remote site catering
Facility / Auxiliary Services Cleaning, housekeeping, and general facility management
Laundry Services Industrial laundry operations
Waste Management Waste collection and disposal, with an environmental focus
Landscaping / Garden Maintenance Grounds and garden upkeep
Cleaning & Housekeeping Comprehensive cleaning services, including specialized cleaning
Safety Solutions / PPE & Uniforms Supply of uniforms, safety gear, and related solutions

As part of the SF Group, AKO benefits from shared resources and synergies with sister companies.

Reputation & Risks
Strengths

Local Identity: Positions itself as an indigenous Tanzanian company with international standards.

Longevity: Over 25 years in operation, bringing experience and credibility.

Scale: High service capacity, diverse offerings, and a wide client base.

Certifications: ISO 22000 certification underlines their food safety commitment.

Challenges

Procurement Blacklisting: The company has previously faced blacklisting in Tanzania over procurement issues.

Competitive Market: Faces strong competition in catering and facilities services.

Contract Dependence: Relies heavily on large contracts, creating some business vulnerability.

Operational Complexity: Managing multiple service lines requires robust systems and coordination.