Africa richest man deepens East Africa bet with Tanzania

Tanzania’s industrial ambitions received a fresh boost on Monday after President Samia Suluhu Hassan met with Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, to discuss a new round of multibillion-dollar investments that could reshape the country’s infrastructure, energy and manufacturing sectors.

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The meeting at the State House in Dar es Salaam focused on expanding the Dangote Group’s footprint beyond its existing cement business into strategic sectors including energy, ports, transport, fertilizer production and regional trade. The discussions are part of Tanzania’s wider effort to attract large scale private investment to accelerate industrial growth, create jobs and strengthen its position as a manufacturing hub in East Africa.

Dangote described Tanzania as one of Africa’s most promising investment destinations and said the company was ready to deepen its partnership with the government.

“We have identified areas that can deliver significant value for Tanzania, and we are ready to work together to develop them for our mutual benefit,” he said.

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Among the proposals discussed were the development of port infrastructure, the construction of a 40 kilometre concrete access road to improve cargo movement and the establishment of a special economic zone to boost manufacturing and trade.

Energy also featured prominently in the talks, with plans for a proposed 2,000 megawatt coal fired power plant to strengthen electricity supply for industry. The two sides also discussed fertilizer production and transport links connecting Mtwara with Mbamba Bay in southern Tanzania.

Dangote revealed that the company’s planned East African oil refinery will be built in Lamu, Kenya, following technical and commercial assessments. However, he stressed that Tanzania would still have an opportunity to participate in the wider investment framework.

“We selected Lamu after detailed studies, but Tanzania remains an important partner and we want the country to benefit from the wider project,” Dangote said.

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President Samia welcomed the investment proposals and directed relevant ministries and government agencies to begin technical assessments in line with Tanzania’s laws and national development priorities.

She also appointed the minister responsible for planning and investment to coordinate engagement with Dangote Industries, while a government delegation is expected to visit Nigeria in the coming weeks to advance discussions and develop implementation plans.

Dangote Industries already operates a 3 million tonne per year cement plant in Mtwara worth about 500 million dollars, supplying both Tanzania and neighbouring markets.

The latest discussions also fit into the company’s broader expansion strategy across East Africa. Dangote has announced plans to increase investments in Ethiopia through new manufacturing projects, backed by financing from the Africa Finance Corporation as part of a 7 billion dollar expansion programme that also includes fertilizer production in Nigeria.

The businessman has also expressed interest in strengthening investments in Kenya, despite locating the planned East African refinery in Lamu, saying regional integration offers opportunities that extend beyond national borders. The company has also explored opportunities in other East African markets as it seeks to expand its industrial presence across the region.

According to Tanzania’s Directorate of Presidential Communications, the government sees deeper cooperation with major private investors as central to its strategy of increasing industrial output, creating employment, boosting exports and encouraging technology transfer.

If the latest proposals move from the drawing board to implementation, they would mark one of the biggest rounds of private sector investment discussions in Tanzania in recent years and further strengthen the country’s drive to become one of East Africa’s leading industrial economies.