By The Respondent Reporter
Tanzania’s Vice President, Dr. Philip Mpango, says the country’s infrastructure development has been made possible through improved tax collection, private sector involvement, and growth in capital and bond markets.
He made these remarks during a high-level discussion on Africa’s resource management at the opening of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Annual Meetings in Abidjan.
According to Dr. Mpango, Tanzania’s focus on infrastructure, such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and major regional roads, is critical for economic transformation and trade across borders.
“To meet the financing needs for infrastructure, the government has intensified domestic resource mobilization efforts,” he said.
This includes modernizing tax administration through electronic systems, establishing the Tax Ombudsman Office to address taxpayer grievances, and expanding the capital and bond markets.
The approach, according to him, reflects Tanzania’s strategy to rely less on external aid and more on internal financial strength.
The government has also involved pension funds in funding roads and bridges, while carefully using concessional loans from international partners.
Dr. Mpango also praised the AfDB and its outgoing president, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for supporting Tanzania’s infrastructure, including the SGR link to Burundi and the DRC.
On energy, he highlighted Tanzania’s major investments to power growth, especially the completion of the 2,115 MW Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project.
He said the country is also turning to natural gas and geothermal energy, with geothermal production expected to begin at 500 MW.
The AfDB Annual Meetings bring together African leaders and development partners to discuss economic solutions for the continent.
Tanzania’s message was clear: sustainable development is driven by strong local systems and smart investment in long-term projects.
