The authority has registered 1,148 projects expected to create 344,031 jobs, but the challenge is turning investment commitments into productive industries, actual employment and economic growth.
By Business Insider Reporter
The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) registered 1,148 investment projects worth US$15.32 billion between July 2025 and September 2026, with the projects expected to generate more than 344,031 jobs.
The figures point to significant opportunities for Tanzania’s economy, particularly in expanding industrial production, creating employment and attracting domestic and foreign capital.
At a meeting with editors organised by the Office of the Treasury Registrar, TISEZA’s performance report outlined progress made, as well as challenges that must be addressed to ensure investment delivers measurable economic benefits.
The meeting was part of strategic moves by the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) to avail before the public performance of public entities. Sabato Kosuri, who represented OTR in the meeting, told editors that the forums also give the public opportunity to know how their institutions fare.
Institutional merger raises new expectations
TISEZA Director General, Gilead Teri (pictured above), told the editors that foreign direct investment accounted for US$9.60 billion of the registered projects, while domestic investment contributed US$5.72 billion.
“Foreign investment therefore represented approximately 62.7 percent of the total, compared with 37.3 percent from domestic investors,” he said.
According to Teri, the foreign capital has helped to introduce technology, expertise and access to new markets, while domestic investment has helped to strengthen local ownership and expand opportunities for Tanzanian businesses.
The challenge now, he said, is to ensure that both forms of investment increase local value addition and integrate domestic producers into industrial supply chains.
Special economic zones need infrastructure
Teri said TISEZA has continued developing special economic zones in Bagamoyo, Kwala and Nala to attract manufacturing, agro-processing and other commercial activities.
“The authority received more than 80 applications for land within the zones, of which 43 progressed to the signing of land lease or occupancy-right agreements. The projects are expected to attract more than US$1.5 billion in investment and generate over 15,844 jobs,” he narrated.
In Bagamoyo, he said, work has continued on coordinating the construction of a road approximately 3.116 kilometres long. TISEZA has also engaged the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) over electricity provision to a 151-hectare area.
Meanwhile, preparations for the master plan for Tanga Special Economic Zone had reached 12 percent during the reporting period.
He said these developments demonstrate progress, but also underline the importance of accelerating infrastructure delivery. Investors require reliable electricity, water, roads and transport services to reduce operating costs and begin production on schedule.
Expected jobs versus actual employment
The projected creation of 344,031 jobs is significant for a country seeking to address unemployment, particularly among young people. However, anticipated employment is not the same as jobs already created.
Projects may be delayed by financing constraints, inadequate infrastructure or administrative barriers. TISEZA therefore needs to distinguish between projected jobs and those verified in projects under construction or already operational.
Teri stated that the authority provided post-registration support to 789 projects, against a target of 375. However, it describes this achievement as 112.8 percent of the target, whereas the figures indicate approximately 210.4 per cent. This discrepancy requires clarification.
In a separate monitoring exercise, TISEZA followed up on 111 of the 141 projects targeted between April and June 2026, representing approximately 78.7 percent.
“Such monitoring is essential for assessing project implementation, employment, legal compliance, export performance and the use of locally produced raw materials,” he emphasised.
Improving investor services and domestic investment
He also told the editors that through its Premier Investors Service Centre, TISEZA served 524 investors. Of these, 34 successfully registered companies, while 83 projects were registered under the Certificate of Incentives and Export Processing Zones systems. A further 142 investors received advice on land, taxation, financing and investment opportunities.
The authority also launched the Investor Service Providers Policy 2025, intended to establish transparent procedures for registration and service delivery.
To promote domestic investment, he said a national campaign was conducted across several regions reaching 1,402 participants and involved visits to 24 projects in tourism, agro-processing, minerals and manufacturing.
In addition, the Sourcing and Export Centre was launched at the Benjamin William Mkapa Special Economic Zone in Mabibo, Dar es Salaam. The centre is intended to help producers access market information, technology and export opportunities. TISEZA has also adopted digital platforms, including Open Data Kit and KoboToolbox, to collect investment project data. Meanwhile, its Training and Capacity Building Academy has begun programmes aimed at strengthening the ability to prepare projects capable of attracting financing.
