Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerate industrial development and deepen cooperation with international partners as it took part in the 42nd Programme and Budget Committee (PBC) session of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), held from June 22 to 23, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the Government, Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith S. Kapinga, said Tanzania values its long-standing partnership with UNIDO, noting that it has delivered tangible results in key sectors of the economy.
“Tanzania highly values its long-standing partnership with UNIDO, particularly in the implementation of industrial programmes in the country,” Kapinga said.
She said the partnership has supported projects in clean energy, climate change response, agro-industrial development, industrial parks, and digitalisation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
According to her, these interventions have contributed to structural transformation by promoting value addition, strengthening local capacity, and integrating Tanzanian firms into global supply chains.
“Tanzania welcomes UNIDO’s technical cooperation, policy guidance, and capacity-building initiatives, which are instrumental in enhancing industrial competitiveness and aligning our national priorities with global best practices,” she said.
Kapinga announced that Tanzania and UNIDO have successfully completed the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) 2026–2031, describing it as a key platform for mobilising financing and expertise for industrial growth.
“I am delighted to announce the successful formulation of the Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) 2026–2031, a multi-stakeholder platform to mobilise large-scale financing and expertise,” she said.
She added that the signing of the agreement will take place on the sidelines of the meeting, marking a new phase in cooperation between the two sides.
The Minister said industrialisation remains a central pillar of Tanzania’s development agenda, supported by reforms aimed at improving the business environment, expanding infrastructure, and promoting value addition.
She highlighted ongoing investments in energy generation, transport systems, ports, railways, and digital connectivity as key drivers of industrial growth.
However, she acknowledged persistent challenges, including limited infrastructure, access to affordable financing, technological gaps, and climate change impacts.
“The path to industrialisation is fraught with challenges. Limited infrastructure, access to affordable financing, technological gaps, and the threats of climate change continue to impede developing countries, including Tanzania,” she said.
Kapinga further said Tanzania is advancing plans to incorporate nuclear energy into its national grid by 2029 to strengthen energy security for industrial development.
In addition, she called for stronger implementation of the Africa energy–industrialisation nexus and urged development partners to invest more in infrastructure linked to industrial parks, special economic zones, and production corridors.
She also stressed the need for increased technology transfer, capacity building, and concessional financing to de-risk industrial investments.
“Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to continue working with UNIDO, all Member States, and international partners for sustainable industrial development,” she said.
