Tanzania’s Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba on Thursday urged international investors to seize opportunities in East Africa’s fast-growing economy, telling a high-level forum in London that the country is entering a new phase of expansion anchored by political stability and strategic reforms.
The inaugural Tanzania Investment Forum 2026, held on 8 October, brought together senior Tanzanian government ministers, development finance institutions, international business leaders and policymakers. Organized by the High Commission of the United Republic of Tanzania in the UK in partnership with Invest Africa, the one-day event focused on channeling global capital into priorities set out in Tanzania’s Vision 2050 agenda.
Nchemba, who headlined the forum as chief guest, positioned Tanzania as one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies, citing steady GDP growth of 5–7% underpinned by open-market policies and economic reforms. “The primary focus was positioning Tanzania within its long-term development agenda,” according to the event framing, explicitly linking current investment opportunities to Vision 2050.
Priority Sectors under the Spotlight
Discussions at the Tanzania Investment Forum 2026 centered on accelerating the “building of a competitive economy,” with deep dives into several key pillars:
- Critical minerals and mining: Officials highlighted Tanzania’s largely unexploited deposits of rare earth elements, gold, graphite and battery metals, positioning the country as a potential supplier for the global green energy transition.
- Energy and renewables: Presentations showcased clean energy frameworks, hydroelectric projects and solar developments aimed at expanding regional grid capacity.
- Infrastructure, transport and logistics: Tanzania was promoted as a premier gateway for landlocked neighbors through the Central Corridor and projects such as the Tanga Gateway.
- Manufacturing, agribusiness and ICT: Emphasis was placed on value-addition initiatives, including agro-processing hubs such as the Maranje Cashew Industrial Park, industrial development and digital economy transformation.
Preceding the main sessions, targeted ministerial roundtables gave investors direct access to key policymakers. These included sessions on financing the next phase of growth, led by Ambassador Balozi Khamis Mussa Omar of the Ministry of Finance; critical minerals and the energy transition, led by Anthony P. Mavunde of the Ministry of Minerals; and financing Tanzania’s digital future, led by Angellah Kairuki of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.
From Dialogue to Deals
Organizers designed the forum to move beyond high-level discussion toward concrete capital deployment. NMB Bank Plc served as strategic organizing partner, providing financial frameworks to connect international funds and development finance institutions with bankable projects. High-profile banking figures, including CRDB Bank Group CEO Dr. Abdulmajid Majid Nsekela and AfreximBank Regional Director Humphrey Nwugo, participated in discussions on complex transaction financing.
Bilateral matchmaking meetings ran from 6–9 October, allowing private investors to engage directly with project sponsors. One highlighted opportunity involved the strategic land asset portfolio of Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), aimed at creating pipelines for public-private partnerships and joint ventures.
The event also sought to strengthen commercial ties between British and European investors and Tanzanian enterprises, reinforcing trade routes between the regions.