By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania is poised to attract fresh infrastructure financing after pan-African investment platform Africa50 signalled its readiness to scale up investments in strategic sectors, including ports, transport and energy, as the country accelerates implementation of its long-term development blueprint.
The commitment was outlined by Africa50’s Chief Executive Officer, Alain Ebobisse, during talks with a Tanzanian delegation led by Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar in Washington, D.C., on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.
Ebobisse said Africa50 is keen to deepen its footprint in Tanzania, building on its initial investments and leveraging public–private partnerships (PPPs) to unlock large-scale infrastructure projects critical to economic growth.
“Our institution has significant experience investing across Africa, and Tanzania presents a strong opportunity to accelerate development through strategic infrastructure financing,” he said.
Expanding investments in energy and logistics
Africa50 has already invested between US$20 million and US$30 million in a pilot gas distribution project in Dar es Salaam. The institution is now exploring additional opportunities in gas distribution and electricity infrastructure, including potential collaboration with Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO).
Energy remains a central pillar of Tanzania’s industrialisation agenda, with natural gas playing a growing role in power generation, manufacturing and urban energy supply. Expanding distribution networks is seen as critical to improving energy access and reducing costs for businesses.
Beyond energy, Africa50 is also targeting investments in port infrastructure and transport corridors – areas widely regarded as bottlenecks to trade competitiveness across East Africa.
Financing Africa’s infrastructure gap
Africa50, established by the African Development Bank and African governments, was created to address the continent’s persistent infrastructure financing gap, estimated at tens of billions of dollars annually. The platform focuses on project development and financing, often crowding in private capital for commercially viable projects.
Ebobisse noted that while countries like Tanzania are rich in natural resources, unlocking their economic potential depends heavily on access to long-term capital for infrastructure development.
“Africa’s challenge is not a lack of opportunities, but the ability to mobilise financing at scale. We see ourselves as part of the solution,” he said.
Tanzania positions for Dira 2050
For Tanzania, the engagement with Africa50 aligns with its ambition to become a middle-income, industrialised economy under the Dira 2050 framework, which targets a US$1 trillion economy by mid-century.
Finance Minister Omar reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving the investment climate, including reforms to tax systems and broader business regulations aimed at attracting foreign capital.
He highlighted ongoing policy reforms initiated under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, including two high-level commissions tasked with reviewing the tax regime and the overall investment environment. The tax reform commission has already submitted recommendations, while the investment climate review is expected to follow soon.
“These reforms are intended to attract more investment while enabling the private sector to play a leading role in economic transformation,” Omar said.
According to the government, about 70 per cent of the financing required to implement Vision 2050 is expected to come from the private sector, underscoring the importance of partnerships with institutions such as Africa50.
Strategic opportunity for regional integration
Tanzania’s infrastructure push also carries regional implications. With its ports, railways and energy networks serving landlocked neighbours such as Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, investments in logistics and energy could strengthen the country’s position as a regional trade and transport hub.
Africa50’s planned hosting of its Annual General Shareholders Meeting and the Infra for Africa Forum in Tanzania later this year is expected to further spotlight the country’s investment potential, while offering a platform to engage global investors.
Outlook
Analysts say Africa50’s interest reflects growing investor confidence in Tanzania’s macroeconomic stability and reform trajectory. However, translating commitments into bankable projects will depend on regulatory clarity, project preparation capacity and risk-sharing frameworks that can attract private capital. If successfully executed, the partnership could mark a significant step in closing Tanzania’s infrastructure gap – while advancing broader economic transformation goals across East Africa.
