In a dazzling gala ceremony held in Dar es Salaam, SGA Security emerged as a gleaming victor, scooping the illustrious title of Security Company of the Year at the Africa Company of the Year Awards 2023. This landmark achievement signals another first for SGA Security, distinguishing itself amidst the fierce competition from other noteworthy contenders.
The selection process was both rigorous and exacting. Assessors carefully evaluated each candidate company against a set of seven key determinants - strategic leadership, marketing and customer-centricity, human resources management, quality management, financial management, and ICT & knowledge management. This stringent assessment was supervised by a renowned international audit firm, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
Speaking on behalf of the event's organizing body, Eastern Star Consulting Group, lead assessor Mr. Tom Onguru elaborated on the process, indicating that companies were required to provide comprehensive evidence to substantiate their performance across these categories.
In a heartfelt acceptance speech, SGA Tanzania's Managing Director, Mr. Eric Sambu, expressed gratitude and acknowledged the resilience of the company, which had navigated a difficult transition following a sudden 48% surge in the minimum wage that impacted the affordability of private security services.
SGA Security, currently in the lead-up to celebrating its 40th year of operations in Tanzania, proudly stands as the first registered security company in the nation. Since its inception in 1983 as Group 4 Security (T) Ltd, SGA has been a trailblazer in the private security sector. Today, it provides employment to over 5,000 Tanzanians and is part of a regional group employing more than 18,000 staff.
Mr. Sambu dedicated the award to their diligent employees, crediting their unwavering commitment to providing top-notch service as a key differentiator in a market teeming with around 2,000 private security companies. He also recognized the role of their uniformed staff in achieving this competitive edge.
Joining in the celebrations, SGA's Marketing Manager, Faustina Shoo, acknowledged the tough journey the company had undertaken, battling the aftershocks of the Covid-19 pandemic and the wage hike. Yet, the company remained steadfast and customer-focused, forging strong partnerships and earning trust.
SGA Security's services encompass guarding services, alarm response service, cash services, electronic security solutions, and courier services. It proudly boasts the unique distinction of being the only local company with ISO18788 certification (Security Operations Management System), along with ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14000 (Environment), and ISO 45000:2018 (Occupation Health and Safety) certifications.
Mr. Sambu underscored the importance of their symbiotic relationship with government agencies, particularly the Tanzania Police Force, highlighting their joint endeavors in areas like training, pre-employment vetting, and operations.
Reiterating SGA's commitment to maintaining high standards, he called on other companies to prioritize employee well-being through fair remuneration and ongoing training. "Investing in people is a good investment," he said.
Speaking about SGA's future plans, Mr. Sambu announced their continued investment in people, technology, and innovation to deliver maximum value to customers and society at large. He expressed his hope to retain the trophy in the coming year, thanking the organizers for their comprehensive and independent assessment, which lent the award legitimacy and credibility. The meticulous feedback, he believes, will inspire positive changes in service delivery for all participants.