Global specialty chemicals company Sika has announced a major expansion of its operations in Tanzania as it celebrates 10 years of doing business in the country, unveiling plans to upgrade its manufacturing facility in Dar es Salaam and establish a new plant in Mwanza.
The expansion is expected to strengthen local manufacturing capacity, create employment opportunities and support the country’s fast-growing construction industry, which continues to expand alongside major infrastructure projects.
According to the company, the upgrade of its Dar es Salaam factory will significantly increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency, enabling it to supply more locally manufactured construction solutions to the market.
At the same time, the newly launched Mwanza plant has been strategically positioned to serve the Lake Zone and western regions of Tanzania, improving product availability and distribution across areas including Kagera Region and Shinyanga Region.
Sika Tanzania General Manager Dennis Ott said the investment demonstrates the company’s confidence in Tanzania’s economic outlook and its commitment to supporting the country’s industrial development.
“Our investment in expanding our Dar es Salaam operations and establishing a new plant in Mwanza reflects our long-term commitment to Tanzania’s industrial growth and economic development,” he said.
He added that strengthening local manufacturing helps the company move closer to its customers while contributing to job creation and ensuring that high-quality construction solutions are produced locally.
The new investment is also expected to reduce reliance on imported construction materials while improving supply efficiency for infrastructure and commercial projects across the country.
The Mwanza facility will enhance product supply not only in the Lake Zone but could also support construction markets in neighbouring East African countries.
Over the past decade, Sika Tanzania has supported the growth of the country’s construction and industrial sectors by supplying technologies used in bonding, sealing, waterproofing, concrete strengthening and infrastructure protection.
Through its Sika Academy initiative, the company has also invested in skills development by training and certifying local contractors and applicators.
More than 5,000 fundis have been trained through the programme, while the company has supplied materials to more than 100 major infrastructure and commercial projects nationwide.
Some of the projects include the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project, the Standard Gauge Railway Tanzania and the Kijazi Interchange.
The company also noted that increased local manufacturing has helped reduce reliance on imported products by about 80 percent.
As Tanzania continues to push forward with industrialisation and green economy initiatives, investments in local manufacturing and sustainable construction technologies are becoming increasingly important.
Sika said its latest expansion supports these national priorities by promoting sustainable construction practices, strengthening local supply chains and facilitating technology transfer.
The company added that such investments will help position Tanzania as a regional hub for the manufacturing of construction materials.
As it enters its second decade in Tanzania, Sika said it will continue strengthening partnerships with developers, contractors and industry stakeholders to support a more innovative and sustainable construction sector driven by local production and global expertise.