Tanzania has emerged as an East Africa regional leader in public-private partnership (PPP) expertise, ranking ninth globally in the number of Certified Public-Private Partnership Professionals (CP³P), according to the latest “Top 10 CP³P Countries Shaping Global Infrastructure” by APMG International.
The milestone positions the country ahead of regional rival Kenya and underscores the government’s deliberate focus on building technical capacity to implement complex infrastructure projects.
The CP³P programme, developed with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Islamic Development Bank, is recognised globally as a benchmark for PPP project competence.
APMG International, which manages the programme, reports that over 12,000 individuals have taken the exams worldwide, and thousands have been certified across more than 160 countries. The programme has three certification levels: Foundation, Preparation, and Execution as each designed to equip professionals with technical skills ranging from project structuring to risk management and contract negotiation.
In the 2026 ranking, Tanzania joined a global cohort of leading PPP markets, with the top 10 countries being Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, the United States, South Africa, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Kenya. Each of these countries has demonstrated strong PPP expertise, with Brazil leading in PPP volume, Indonesia showing rapid growth in Asia, South Korea maintaining the highest historical exam pass rates, and Saudi Arabia driving an aggressive infrastructure expansion.
Tanzania’s inclusion alongside these established markets signals its growing institutional maturity and rising credibility in the eyes of international investors.
Chelu Matuzya, head of public relations at the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), said the ranking is a reflection of deliberate national investment in human capital.
“This is an important milestone for the country because it shows that we now have a workforce capable of delivering high-quality infrastructure projects. PPPC is proud that Tanzanians are increasingly taking leadership in shaping the future of our national projects,” he said.
The surge in CP³P-certified professionals is particularly notable given that just two years ago, only a handful of Tanzanians had achieved full certification.
When David Kafulila assumed the role of Executive Director of PPPC, the country had very limited expertise to manage PPP transactions. Today, there are 56 fully certified professionals working across central government, local authorities, and parastatals.
“The President has indicated that Tanzania must do things differently if we are to reach a trillion-dollar economy,” Kafulila said. “Knowledge and expertise are the foundations of this transformation, and that is exactly what we are building.”
Experts say this shift is not merely symbolic; it directly impacts the way projects are structured, evaluated, and negotiated.
Jackson Musiba, head of procurement at PPPC, noted that the centre’s focus on skills development has created a measurable difference in the quality of project preparation.
“We are seeing professionals who understand the intricacies of structuring bankable projects, assessing risks, and negotiating contracts in ways that attract investors,” Musiba said.
Project development is a critical stage where the expertise of CP³P professionals adds value. Augustino Saibul, director of project development at PPPC, said the technical competence of certified professionals ensures that projects are prepared according to international standards.
“Well-prepared projects are easier to finance, reduce fiscal risk, and increase investor confidence. Our growing cadre of experts is already bringing new impetus to Tanzania’s PPP agenda,” Saibul explained.
Dr. Bravious Kahyoza, a CP³P-certified professional and Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA), described the certification as a gateway to integrating Tanzania into the global economy.
“Access to this level of technical expertise ensures that Tanzanian professionals can operate at the same standard as those in advanced economies. Investors notice this, and it builds credibility for our projects,” he said.
While the ranking reflects Tanzania’s progress in building human capacity, analysts warn that translating knowledge into tangible results requires practical application. Dr. George Nyaronga, CP³P-certified lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania, emphasized that exposure and experience are key.
“Training alone is not enough. The government must provide opportunities for these professionals to apply their skills in real projects. Only then will Tanzania fully reap the benefits of its investment in expertise,” he said.
The national spread of CP³P-certified professionals across government institutions is another positive sign. “These experts are not confined to PPPC alone,” Kafulila explained.
“They are embedded in central ministries, local government authorities, and parastatals. This is national capacity, and it ensures that technical knowledge is available wherever critical decisions are made.”
Tanzania’s rise in the global PPP ranking also carries strategic implications for foreign investment. Historically, many investors have been cautious in emerging markets due to weak technical capacity in governments to structure deals effectively. The growth in CP³P-certified professionals positions Tanzania as a more attractive destination for infrastructure financing in transport, ports, energy, and urban development.
The ranking also signals the country’s increasing alignment with international best practices. Leading PPP markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, the United States, South Africa, and the Philippines maintain strong pipelines not only because of demand but because of institutional competence. Tanzania’s new standing demonstrates that it is catching up in terms of governance, technical skill, and project preparation.
International partners have played a critical role in supporting Tanzania’s PPP capacity-building efforts. Kafulila acknowledged the World Bank and other partners for their support in providing technical guidance and capacity-building frameworks. “The government’s decision to back the PPP programme financially and politically has been equally important. Without that commitment, none of this progress would have been possible,” he said.
The surge in certified professionals also arrives at a time when Tanzania is expanding major infrastructure projects across multiple sectors. The government is keen to leverage this technical capacity to secure projects that are not only investor-ready but also sustainable and aligned with long-term economic goals. Experts believe that well-prepared projects will allow Tanzania to negotiate better terms, reduce financial exposure, and attract higher-quality investment.
Musiba said the leadership of the PPPC has deliberately focused on embedding technical knowledge as a strategic priority. “Developing expertise is now part of the organisational culture,” he said. “This is why the centre has been able to deliver tangible improvements in project preparation and management.”
Tanzania’s achievement sends a strong signal to the regional and global market. Investors increasingly look for environments where technical and institutional capacity is sufficient to structure complex projects, assess risk transparently, and ensure accountability. With more Tanzanians now certified under the CP³P programme, the country is positioning itself as a hub for credible PPP investment in East Africa.
Kafulila concluded: “This is just the beginning. Our focus remains on translating certification into impact. These professionals are the foundation upon which Tanzania’s infrastructure future will be built. If we continue to invest in knowledge and practical application, we can expect not only more projects but better-quality projects that benefit the entire nation.”
As Tanzania climbs the global PPP skills ladder, the country is sending a clear message: building technical expertise is no longer optional; it is central to economic transformation and investor confidence. For a nation with ambitious infrastructure goals and a desire to reach a trillion-dollar economy, the CP³P ranking is more than recognition — it is proof that Tanzania is equipping itself with the tools to compete in the global market.
