Tanzania stands to gain significantly from new strategic partnerships aimed at transforming development cooperation between Africa and Europe, Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango has said.
Speaking in Rome, Italy, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the high-level Italy–Africa Summit, Dr. Mpango said two major initiatives the Mattei Plan spearheaded by the Italian government and the EU Global Gateway will boost investments in infrastructure, agriculture, energy, digital economy, and human capital across Africa, including Tanzania.
“These initiatives reflect a shift from traditional development aid to a model that emphasizes joint investments in strategic sectors, creating jobs and fostering sustainable economic transformation,” said Dr. Mpango.
He noted that the summit focused on aligning support with Africa’s priorities, with an emphasis on practical implementation of projects.
Among the key areas discussed was value addition in agriculture, especially the coffee sector.
“Tanzania, as the fourth-largest coffee exporter in Africa, is well-positioned to benefit from enhanced value chains in the sector. This will not only increase our export earnings but also create employment opportunities, especially for youth,” he said.
The Vice President further emphasized the importance of investing in people. “Strengthening human capital is key to improving living conditions and reducing irregular migration to Europe. The focus should be on creating opportunities at home,” he noted.
The Mattei Plan prioritizes energy, agriculture, and education, and Tanzania is among 14 African countries selected for strategic collaboration under this framework. Italy has allocated €5.5 billion (about TSh 15.3 trillion) for the initial implementation phase.
Meanwhile, the EU’s Global Gateway a €300 billion initiative targeting global infrastructure development by 2027 has committed €150 billion specifically to Africa.
The plan focuses on improving connectivity in sectors such as transport, health, education, digital infrastructure, and research.
One of the key projects under discussion is the expansion of the Blue Raman submarine fiber optic cable connecting Europe to India.
The EU intends to extend this digital corridor to Tanzania, integrating East Africa into a global digital network and boosting regional digital transformation.
The Rome summit brought together African Heads of State, leaders from the European Union, and representatives from major financial institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and African Development Bank (AfDB).
According to Dr. Mpango, all participating stakeholders including the EU and the Italian government expressed strong commitment to financing and implementing transformative projects under the two frameworks.
“These investments are about long-term development, not handouts. We must seize this moment to strengthen our economy and build a future of dignity and opportunity for all Tanzanians,” the Vice President concluded.