The economic partnership between Tanzania and China has continued to deliver strong results in investment and trade, reflecting the success of economic diplomacy initiatives implemented during the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga said the growing cooperation between the two countries has accelerated over the past four years, strengthening Tanzania’s position as an attractive investment destination and expanding its trade opportunities with one of the world’s largest economies.
Speaking on March 22, 2026, during a three-day working visit to China organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (Tanzania) in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (Tanzania), Kapinga said the partnership has generated substantial investment flows into Tanzania.
According to the minister, a total of 876 investment projects from China have been implemented in Tanzania, with a combined value of 8.86 billion US dollars.
The projects have created 146,250 jobs for Tanzanians, contributing significantly to industrial growth, skills development and employment creation across various sectors of the economy.
She said the continued growth of Chinese investments reflects increasing confidence from international investors in Tanzania’s business environment and the government’s ongoing reforms aimed at improving the investment climate.
Kapinga further noted that trade between Tanzania and China has reached about 2 billion US dollars, with Tanzanian exports to China increasing by 12.5 percent.
The increase demonstrates growing demand for Tanzanian products in the Chinese market and highlights the strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
The minister attributed the progress to strategic economic diplomacy led by President Samia, including her state visit to China in 2022 which laid a strong foundation for deeper economic cooperation, investment partnerships and expanded trade engagement.
She said the outcomes of that visit continue to attract new investors and strengthen relations between businesses from both countries.
Kapinga explained that the growing investment and trade ties are aligned with the country’s long-term development agenda under the Tanzania Development Vision 2050, which aims to transform Tanzania into a trillion-dollar economy driven largely by private sector investment.
Under the development blueprint, the private sector is expected to contribute more than 70 percent of the capital required to support the country’s industrialisation and economic transformation.
During the ongoing visit, around 150 companies have participated in investment engagement sessions aimed at expanding business partnerships.
A total of 100 companies held discussions on the first day of the meetings, while another 50 companies met on the second day to explore new investment opportunities and strengthen cooperation with firms that have already established operations in Tanzania.
The meetings have provided a platform for investors to discuss potential partnerships, explore new sectors for investment and review opportunities available in Tanzania’s expanding industrial and trade landscape.
Kapinga said the growing interest from Chinese companies signals stronger confidence in Tanzania’s economic prospects and underscores the importance of sustained engagement with global investors.
She added that the strengthening economic relations between Tanzania and China will continue to play a crucial role in supporting the country’s industrialisation drive, boosting exports and creating more employment opportunities for Tanzanians.
