Regional retail giant Nakumatt Holdings Ltd opened its first branch in Dar es Salaam last Saturday and immediately announced plans to establish more supermarkets in the city in three years.

Nakumatt Tanzania country director Daniel Kimweli said the company will open a branch at the Pugu junction this month.

“Since the opening of the first branch of Nakumatt at Mlimani City, the company appreciates that Tanzania has business potential and we feel that there is a need to expand the business in this country,” he said.

Nakumatt recently bought two Shoprite outlets in Dar and Arusha for Tsh45 billion ($27 million). Shoprite, the South African retailer, exited the Tanzanian market in May after operating in the country since 2001.

READ: Nakumatt cleared to take over Dar Shoprite stores

Mr Kimweli said Nakumatt would open stores in Mwanza, Dodoma and Arusha after establishing six outlets in Dar. The proposed sites for the Dar supermarkets are Upanga, Osyterbay, Peninsula and Mbezi.

He added that the company had hired 140 employees besides absorbing others from Shoprite.

Janeth Mbene, Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, said the opening of Nakumatt Mlimani City would create employment. She called on local manufacturers and farmers to use the opportunity to produce quality products to supply the retailer.

“The coming of Nakumatt to our country is an investment opportunity,” Ms Mbene said.