When David Kafulila, Executive Director of Tanzania’s Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), speaks about the country’s economic ambitions, it’s hard not to feel the urgency.
“Our goal is to make PPP projects work efficiently while engaging all stakeholders in advancing the economy,” he says, outlining a vision where government and private sector unite to lift Tanzania to a trillion-shilling economy.
This vision took center stage at Tanzania’s first National PPP Forum on March 9, 2026, a gathering of government officials, private-sector leaders, and economic experts, all seeking solutions to a single question: how to turn ambition into action.
The forum highlighted a staggering goal mobilizing TZS 170 trillion in PPP investments over the next five years, more than eight times the pace of the previous five-year plan.
For many, the promise of PPPs is personal. Private companies, eager to see timely payments and predictable contracts, have sometimes faced financial ruin under delayed disbursements.
Mwanahamisi Singano, Director of Policy and Private Sector Engagement at the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, says solving these challenges is key.
“If private partners can’t rely on timely payments, projects stall, and the economy stalls with them,” she said.
Singano also outlined practical steps for the government.
“We need a one-stop center for PPPs, specialized training for professionals, in-depth feasibility studies, and inclusive engagement of all stakeholders. These measures will make the system predictable and attractive to investors,” she said.
For Singano, PPPs are not just about capital they are a way to decentralize economic activity and introduce efficiency into Tanzania’s economy.
Retired Colonel Joseph Simbakalia, a veteran of Tanzania’s first PPP negotiations, emphasized the human element behind the numbers.
“It’s about patriotism, good contracts, and seeing projects through for the people, not just for investors,” he said, highlighting the delicate balancing act between economic ambition and national interest.
Simbakalia argued that proper procurement systems and strategic contract negotiations are vital to transform natural resources into sustainable economic assets.
The scale of Tanzania’s goals is immense. Under the previous development plan, PPPs mobilized TZS 21 trillion over five years.
Now, with the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP IV) running from 2026/27 to 2030/31, PPPs are expected to generate TZS 170 trillion roughly equivalent to the combined 2022 GDPs of Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan.
State-owned enterprises are also expected to contribute, though current projections indicate they may struggle to meet targets without adopting PPP-like efficiency models.
Yet progress is already visible. Since PPPC’s establishment just two years ago, projects worth TZS 8.5 trillion have been signed.
The number of certified PPP professionals has soared from fewer than two to over 40, equipping the country with the expertise to prepare and manage complex projects.
Across Tanzania, more than 400 potential PPP projects have been identified, spanning energy, transport, and social infrastructure—projects that promise tangible improvements in everyday life.
For Kafulila and his team, the human story is central. The forum’s dialogues are not just about policies and numbers—they are about creating an ecosystem where government, private sector, and citizens all participate.
“Continuous assessment and alignment are critical,” Kafulila explains. “We want to avoid delays and ensure every project benefits Tanzanians.”
Professor Kitila Mkumbo, Minister for Planning and Investment, highlighted the magnitude of the private sector’s role in FYDP IV.
“Private sector participation is no longer optional; it is central to the nation’s development strategy. We anticipate that private investments will drive approximately 70% of financing for the plan,” he said.
Mkumbo stressed that aligning government priorities with private-sector capabilities is essential for success.
Retired Auditor General Ludovic Utoah added a perspective on governance and oversight.
“We need laws and policies that are friendly to a knowledge-driven economy,” he said. “PPPC and the National Board of Accountants and Auditors must collaborate to ensure robust reporting systems for PPP audits.”
Utoah also emphasized the importance of a skilled and disciplined workforce, noting that human capital is the backbone of effective project implementation.
Augustino Saibull, Director of Development and Appraisal at PPPC and a PPP expert, underlined political will as a critical enabler.
“There is strong political commitment to PPPs. The country must seize this opportunity to enhance technical skills and professional expertise in project preparation,” he said.
According to Saibull, success depends on combining capital with competence—without capable professionals, even well-funded projects can falter.
Senior economist Amran Bhuzohera of the Tanzania Investment and Consulting Group focused on the broader economic strategy.
“We must strengthen economic diplomacy and invest in geostrategy to mitigate potential geo-economic shocks. This will protect the momentum of PPPs and ensure sustained growth,” he said, highlighting that Tanzania’s PPP ambitions are not only domestic challenges but also part of the global economic landscape.
Academics at the forum echoed the theme of preparation and technical readiness.
Dr. Richard Mbunda of the University of Dar es Salaam argued that sufficient project preparation budgets are essential for economic sovereignty.
According to him, without adequate funding to prepare bankable projects, the country cannot attract meaningful PPP investment. Policies on economic indigenization must be supported by technical readiness.
Hussein Mwanahamisi, Research Director at the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation, agreed.
He said the country cannot attract private-sector participation without aligning project preparation budgets with international best practices. This is an economic incentive for investors,” he said, underscoring that preparation is as critical as the projects themselves.
Kafulila emphasized that the country must invest strategically in project preparation. “In FYDP IV, PPPs are expected to mobilize TZS 170 trillion. The recommended allocation for project preparation is 2%, or TZS 3.4 trillion. Without this, national targets risk falling short,” he said.
The forum’s discussions also highlighted the importance of structured dialogue. Kafulila described the new series of PPP dialogues as a mechanism to align strategic thinking with execution.
PPP is an ecosystem. It involves government, citizens, investors, and development partners. Structured, continuous dialogue ensures alignment and reduces the risk of delays.
For all participants, the human story remained central. Beyond contracts and capital, PPPs represent trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility.
“Every project is a chance to deliver real benefits to Tanzanians,” Kafulila said, capturing the ethos driving the forum.
As Tanzania stakes its future on PPPs, the forum made clear that success depends on more than money. It requires capacity, expertise, and commitment from every corner of society. If executed well, the payoff could be transformative: jobs, infrastructure, and a trillion-shilling economy that touches every household in the nation.
In the words of Kafulila, “There is no alternative. To achieve the Dira 2050 vision and the goals of FYDP IV, we must mobilize PPPs at scale and we must do it right.”
For Tanzania, the challenge is monumental, but the first National PPP Forum has shown that with preparation, professional capacity, and collaboration, the country is building the foundations for its next economic leap.
