By Business Insider Reporter
The Minister of Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila Mkumbo on Friday, November 28, 2025, reaffirmed that Tanzania remains a safe, stable, and future-ready destination for investors.
Speaking during the official launch of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) Board and the unveiling of new national guidelines for investment service providers, he urged both local and international businesses to view recent national challenges not as threats, but as catalysts for deeper institutional renewal and economic transformation.
Prof. Mkumbo underscored that Tanzania’s investment outlook remains resilient despite the momentary tensions that followed the October elections.
“Tanzania is still safe for investment,” he said. “The issues we have faced give us a chance to reflect, recalibrate, and seal the cracks that could undermine our long-term stability.”
A strong Q1: TISEZA signals a new investment era
The minister’s remarks came as TISEZA – formed through the merger of Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) – posted an impressive performance in Q1 of FY 2025/26.
In just the first quarter, the authority registered 201 projects valued at over US$2.7 billion, marking one of the strongest openings in Tanzania’s investment history.
Industry led the pipeline with 85 projects, followed by construction and commercial real estate (30) and transport (29) – reflecting strong investor confidence in Tanzania’s economic direction.
This momentum, Prof. Mkumbo noted, is clear evidence that the reforms undertaken in recent years are delivering tangible results.
“TISEZA is proving why Tanzania is off to an unprecedented start in its new investment era,” he said. “We now have a single, modern, well-coordinated gateway that investors can trust.”
Reforms for a competitive, investor-centric economy
Since 2021, when 256 projects were registered, Tanzania has implemented sweeping reforms to modernise and simplify its investment environment.
These include:
- Merging TIC and EPZA into TISEZA to eliminate duplication and create a true one-stop facilitation system.
- New national guidelines that standardise and professionalize all investment service providers.
- Regulatory harmonisation to cut approval timelines, reduce compliance burdens, and protect investors’ rights.
- Incentive reforms that reward high-impact, high-value, and export-oriented projects.
- Modern infrastructure commitments, including ports, logistics corridors, SEZs, and energy reliability projects.
“These reforms are positioning Tanzania as one of Africa’s most competitive destinations for manufacturing, logistics, energy, and high-value exports,” Prof. Mkumbo emphasized.
Investing for Dira 2050: Impact over volume
Prof. Mkumbo stressed that Tanzania’s investment philosophy is shifting – moving away from celebrating large figures for their own sake and toward prioritising investments that genuinely transform lives.
“We cannot celebrate billions of dollars in investment while a young person watching the news still has no job,” he said. “A mother running a food stall or a bodaboda rider must see themselves reflected in these investments.”
Under Dira 2050, the new long-term national development vision, incentives and facilitation will be awarded strictly to projects that meet five transformation criteria; namely High job creation, Export growth, Strong sector linkages, Meaningful government revenue contribution, and Value addition and industrial upgrading as well as Meaningful government revenue contribution.
“Going forward,” he said, “any investor seeking incentives will be assessed against these criteria. If a project cannot meet them, it will not qualify.”
A nation tested, strengthened
Despite acknowledging recent unrest, Prof. Mkumbo argued that Tanzania’s foundation remains firm.
“In the midst of challenges lies an opportunity to rebuild a more united, peaceful, and prosperous nation,” he said. “We have the capacity to address our weaknesses and emerge stronger than before.”
With TISEZA’s record-breaking start, sharper institutional reforms, and a clear path toward Dira 2050, the minister insisted that confidence in Tanzania’s future is not misplaced – it is well-founded. “Investors should know this: Tanzania is ready, Tanzania is stable, and Tanzania is committed to building an economy that works for all,” he concluded.
