- The Chibuku brand originated in the 1950s when settler Max Heinrich commercialised the long-standing African tradition.
- Its name is an African variation of the phrase “by the book”, with various explanations as to its name. Some say it was because miners signed for the drink in a ledger, while others say it was Max Heinrich’s habit of writing the recipe in a book.
- Chibuku’s popularity in Zambia, its home, was demonstrated in April 2016 by the construction of a new US$30 million National Breweries factory in Lusaka, the single largest in Africa which increased capacity from one million hectolitres of Chibuku per year to 1.5 million hectolitres, with the option to expand to 2.5 million hectolitres.
- Some 360 people help to produce and sell Chibuku at our 3 factories across the country.
- In December 2017, 70% of the company’s shares were acquired by Delta Corporation of Zimbabwe from AB InBev.
- Delta Corporation is listed on the Zimbabwean Stock exchange.