Tanzania seeks deeper investment ties with Italian companies

Tanzania is seeking to turn its trade relationship with Italy into deeper investment partnerships, with the government calling on Italian companies to establish production and processing operations in the country and use it as a base for accessing African and global markets. Trade between Tanzania and Italy reached about €235 million in 2024, according to Deputy Minister in the President’s Office–Planning and Investment Dr Pius Stephen Chaya, who said the existing relationship provided a basis for expanding cooperation in investment, technology and value addition. Speaking on Thursday, October 1, during the Tanzania–Europe Investment and Business Forum Roadshow in Cesena, Italy, Dr Chaya said Tanzania wanted to move its relationship with Italy beyond conventional trade towards investment, technology, knowledge, innovation and digital transformation. “Do not come to Tanzania just to sell. Come to produce, process, innovate and sell products from Tanzania to Africa and global markets,” he said. Dr Chaya said Tanzania was seeking investments that would generate tangible economic benefits through production, value addition, exports, job creation, technology transfer and skills development. He identified agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy and digital technology among the key areas where Tanzania is seeking Italian investment. In agriculture, the government is targeting investments across the value chain, including production, storage, processing, packaging, cold-chain infrastructure, transport and marketing. Dr Chaya said Tanzania’s access to markets under the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could give Italian companies an opportunity to produce in Tanzania and reach wider regional markets. Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) director general Gilead Teri presented investment opportunities and priorities during the forum, highlighting the authority’s role in connecting investors with opportunities and facilitating them through the investment process. Mr Teri said Tiseza was promoting Tanzania as a destination for investment, production and value addition while encouraging Italian and other European companies to establish or expand projects in the country. He said the authority was working with relevant government institutions to support investors at different stages of the investment cycle and connect them with available opportunities. Beyond agriculture, Tanzania presented opportunities in clean and renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and biomass, as well as energy storage, electricity distribution and smart-grid technologies. Italian companies were also invited to explore opportunities in digital infrastructure, broadband connectivity, data centres, cloud services, fintech, e-government, artificial intelligence and digital skills. The roadshow also seeks to connect investors, companies and financial institutions with Tanzanian projects and businesses looking for capital, technology, markets and strategic partners.