Tanzania has called for stronger industrial development across Africa, saying a thriving manufacturing sector is essential to creating jobs, boosting production and expanding exports as countries seek faster economic transformation.
Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar (MP) said African nations must adopt effective policies, improve tax frameworks and strengthen investment environments to enable industries to become major drivers of economic growth.
Speaking during a high-level discussion on the role of industries in Africa’s economic development held on the sidelines of the 2026 African Caucus Meeting in Banjul, Gambia, Ambassador Omar said industrialisation remains central to Tanzania’s long-term development ambitions.
He said Tanzania is implementing various policy and tax reforms aimed at attracting investment, supporting local industries and creating more employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
“Industrial development is not only about establishing factories, but also about creating a strong value chain that supports production, innovation and sustainable jobs,” Ambassador Omar said.
The minister highlighted that Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050 targets building a US$1 trillion economy, with the private sector expected to play a leading role by contributing about 70 percent of the projected economic output through increased production and investment.
However, he pointed out that access to finance, reliable markets, infrastructure challenges, including energy and transport, as well as the availability of skilled labour remain key obstacles that African countries must address to achieve meaningful industrial transformation.
Ambassador Omar said Tanzania is continuing to expand investment areas and provide incentives to encourage both domestic and foreign investors.
He added that young entrepreneurs are also being supported through measures designed to give emerging businesses time to grow before taking on full tax responsibilities.
He emphasised that closer cooperation between governments and the private sector is necessary to improve the business environment and accelerate economic progress.
“Strong collaboration between the public and private sectors is critical in identifying solutions that can improve the ease of doing business and unlock Africa’s industrial potential,” he said.
The minister also called on development partners, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), to continue supporting African countries in financing strategic infrastructure projects that strengthen industrial value chains.
World Bank Director for African Group One countries, Dr Zarau Wenderine Kibwe, said the institution remains committed to supporting African nations in developing industrial infrastructure that will increase employment, production and trade.
He said strengthening industries and adding value to local resources would help African economies increase competitiveness and benefit more from their natural and agricultural resources.
The Tanzanian delegation at the meeting was led by Ambassador Omar and included Zanzibar Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Juma Malik Akil, Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba, and Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, who also oversees diplomatic duties in Gambia, Ambassador Selestine Kakele.
