President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania made a compelling case for international investment in her country at the World Governments Summit (WGS 2026) in Dubai on February 4, 2026, highlighting a raft of reforms and ambitious infrastructure projects designed to create a more favourable business environment.
Speaking on a panel titled Governments and the Future of Investment: An African Perspective, President Samia emphasised her administration’s commitment to attracting foreign capital.
“We recognised the need to create a conducive business environment,” she stated. “We updated our policies, laws, and regulations to make them more attractive to international investors.”
Among the key initiatives she highlighted was the development of a 2,100-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to enhance regional connectivity and unlock the mineral wealth of neighbouring countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo.
READ MORE: Ambitious Roadmap for Tanzania’s 2050 Development Vision Unveiled
The President also pointed to significant investments in the country’s ports and road networks, funded in part by the African Development Bank, the World Bank, and various Gulf-based funds, including the OPEC Fund and Abu Dhabi Fund.
President Samia asserted that these efforts have led to a dramatic increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), with registered projects growing from 250 in 2018 to over 970 by 2024, and the corresponding value surging from US$3.8 billion to nearly US$12 billion.
However, official data from the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), now Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), for 2024 indicates a total of 901 registered projects with a capital of US$9.31 billion.
Furthermore, whilst the President’s figures appear to represent cumulative project value, annual FDI inflows, a key indicator of investor confidence, stood at US$1.72 billion in 2024, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
On the other hand, the President’s highlighted that the tourism sector contributes 17 per cent to the nation’s economy is well-supported by official data, which places the figure at 17.2 per cent of GDP.
READ MORE: ‘Tanzania Is Safe for Investment’: Govt Steps Up Efforts to Build Investor Confidence
Despite the government’s pro-investment rhetoric and the implementation of reforms such as the 2022 Investment Act and the establishment of a One-Stop Facilitation Centre, significant challenges for investors remain. The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business index ranks Tanzania 141st out of 190 economies, underscoring the hurdles that businesses continue to face.
The World Governments Summit, held annually in Dubai, is a global platform that brings together leaders from government, business, and civil society to discuss innovative solutions to global challenges.
This year’s summit, themed “Shaping Future Governments,” features over 400 speakers and focuses on five key areas: Global Governance and Effective Leadership, Societal Wellbeing and Capacity Building, Economic Prosperity and Emerging Opportunities, Urban Futures and Evolving Demographics, and Future Realities and Next Frontiers.
