Follow Us on Google
The Tanzanian government has expressed interest in attracting fresh investments from Dangote Group in fertiliser production, energy and industrial infrastructure as it seeks to accelerate economic development and strengthen its industrial base.
Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila A. Mkumbo, disclosed this during a visit by a high-powered Tanzanian delegation to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Petrochemicals and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos.
Mkumbo said the visit was part of efforts to follow up on discussions between Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, on expanding the company’s investments in Tanzania.
“We have come here to make a follow-up on what they deliberated with our President in terms of further Dangote investments in Tanzania,” he said.
The minister noted that Dangote already operates Tanzania’s largest cement manufacturing plant, with an investment estimated at about $800 million, and has continued to contribute to the country’s industrial development.
He said Tanzania was particularly interested in Dangote Group’s experience in fertiliser production and refinery operations, describing the company’s industrial capabilities as important to advancing manufacturing and economic growth in East Africa.
Mkumbo said deeper cooperation between Tanzania and Dangote could also support broader economic integration across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said African countries had maintained strong political relationships for decades but needed to place greater emphasis on economic cooperation, industrialisation and intra-African trade.
“Africa now needs economic liberation, and that can only come through industrialisation,” Mkumbo said.
According to him, Dangote represents the type of African industrial enterprise capable of driving economic transformation beyond national borders.
Other News
He said Tanzania looked forward to working with the Dangote Group as part of efforts to promote Pan-African industrialisation, expand manufacturing capacity and create more economic opportunities across the continent.
The minister also stressed the importance of local refining capacity to Africa’s energy security, particularly amid disruptions in global oil markets.
He cited tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and their potential impact on global oil and fuel prices as evidence of the need for African countries to develop stronger domestic energy capacity.
Mkumbo said refineries such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery could help African economies reduce their exposure to external shocks while improving the availability and affordability of petroleum products.
“Affordable and reliable energy remains one of the most important drivers of economic development,” he said, stressing that increased refining capacity across Africa would help reduce energy costs and improve living standards.
The delegation’s visit is part of continuing engagements between Tanzania and Dangote Group to identify new investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties between the two sides.
The Tanzanian delegation included the Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith S. Kapinga; Deputy Minister for Energy, Salome W. Makamba; Deputy Minister for Minerals, Dr Steven L. Kiruswa; Deputy Minister for Transport, David M. Kihenzile; Deputy Minister for Works, Godfrey M. Kasekenya; Permanent Secretary, Planning and Investment, Dr Fred Msemwa; and Tanzania’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Selestine G. Kakele.
They were received by senior officials of Dangote Industries Limited, including Group Vice President, Oil & Gas, Devakumar Edwin; Managing Director/CEO of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; Group Chief Strategy Officer, Aliyu Suleiman; Group Chief Economist, Dr Hassan Mahmud; and Country Manager/CEO of Dangote Cement Tanzania, Adeyemi Fajobi.
The visit further underlined the growing role of private-sector investments in strengthening economic relations between African countries, with Tanzania seeking to leverage Dangote’s industrial expertise to expand its manufacturing and energy capacity.
