Dar es Salaam. Minister of Planning and Investment Prof. Kitila Mkumbo on Friday reaffirmed that Tanzania remains a safe and reliable destination for investors, urging the business community to view recent national challenges not as setbacks but as catalysts for renewal.
Addressing a gathering of local and international investors, Prof. Mkumbo acknowledged that the country had recently faced moments that tested its stability—referencing the unrest following the October elections. But rather than weakening the nation, he said, such challenges should strengthen Tanzania’s collective resolve.
“Tanzania is still safe for investment,” he stressed. “The issues we have faced give us time to reflect as a nation and to seal the cracks that could undermine our long-term stability.”
The minister was speaking during the official launch of the Tanzania Investment and Export Strategy Authority (TIZESA) Board and the unveiling of new national guidelines for investment service providers.
TIZESA, formed through the merger of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), represents a significant step in the government’s efforts to streamline and modernise the investment environment.
Prof. Mkumbo introduced the newly appointed board members: Nathaniel Mathew Nhonge, Wahabi Mohamed Matengo, Leonard John Mkunde, Aristides Robert Mbwasi, Fellister Steven Lelo, Sarah Salehe Masasi, and Absalom Noman Kibanda.
He described the merger and the new appointments as part of a broader push to build a more efficient and investor-friendly institutional framework.
READ MORE: Foreign Direct Investment in Tanzania Rises to USD 1.7 Billion, Highest in a Decade
Beyond administrative reforms, however, Prof. Mkumbo centred his message on people, especially the youth, and the need for investments that meaningfully transform lives.
He criticised the long-standing practice of measuring progress solely through investment volumes.
“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. Otherwise, the numbers mean nothing.”
His remarks signalled a shift in Tanzania’s investment philosophy: from chasing large figures to prioritising impact-oriented investments that address local needs.
To guide this transition, Prof. Mkumbo referenced the Development Vision 2050, which outlines five transformation criteria that will determine who qualifies for investment incentives. He emphasised that the primary criterion is the ability of an investment to generate significant employment, making it clear that the era of granting incentives to projects with limited social impact is ending.
The other criteria include the ability to boost exports, strengthen sector linkages, enhance value addition, and contribute meaningfully to government revenue.
READ MORE: Government Assures Stakeholders of Improved Investment Environment
“Going forward,” he said, “any investor seeking incentives will be assessed against these five criteria. If a project cannot meet them, it will not qualify. We want investments that solve the real problems of our people.”
Despite the serious tone of his address, Prof. Mkumbo struck an optimistic note, reminding investors that many strong nations have been shaped by adversity. Tanzania, he said, is no different.
“In the midst of challenges, there is always an opportunity to rebuild a more united, peaceful and prosperous nation,” he told the audience. “We have the capacity to address our weaknesses and emerge stronger than before.”
