Tanzania is set to benefit from the World Bank’s new AgroConnect program, a $9 billion initiative designed to strengthen agricultural value chains and improve food systems across Africa.
The announcement was made today by Dr. Zarau Wendeline Kibwe, Executive Director at the World Bank representing the Africa Group 1 Constituency, during a meeting with a high-level Tanzanian delegation led by Dr. Natu El-maamry Mwamba, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington D.C.
Dr. Kibwe, who is Tanzanian and among the few Africans holding a senior leadership position at the Bank, said the program aims to empower farmers by enhancing productivity, improving market access, and promoting value addition to agricultural products.
“The initiative is designed to not only strengthen food security but also create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth across member countries,” Dr. Kibwe said.
She added that the World Bank remains committed to deepening its partnership with Tanzania under a new policy direction focusing on five strategic areas — agribusiness, infrastructure development (including railways and energy), health, tourism, and industrialization — all of which are expected to accelerate job creation and sustainable development.
On his part, Dr. Natu Mwamba expressed Tanzania’s appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support through various development projects and welcomed the Bank’s readiness to collaborate further on strategic national priorities.
“The Bank’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s agriculture, mining, education, and infrastructure sectors — including the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) — aligns perfectly with our national vision for economic transformation,” Dr. Mwamba said.
He added that the AgroConnect initiative complements Tanzania’s long-term development agenda under Vision 2050, which prioritizes agricultural modernization as a key driver of economic growth and poverty reduction.
According to data from the Ministry of Finance, the World Bank’s total investment portfolio in Tanzania currently stands at $10.9 billion, supporting 38 national and regional projects in areas such as health, water, education, energy, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
Also present at the meeting were Dr. Juma Malik Akil, Permanent Secretary for Finance and Planning in the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, and Mr. Robert Mtengule, Assistant Commissioner for External Finance at the Ministry of Finance.
The AgroConnect program is expected to launch in early 2026, marking a major step toward transforming Africa’s agricultural landscape through innovation, investment, and stronger market linkages.