Tanzania and Egypt have agreed to deepen economic cooperation by prioritising nine strategic sectors expected to unlock new investment opportunities, expand bilateral trade and accelerate industrial development.
The sectors were identified during the Tanzania–Egypt Business Forum, held alongside the State Visit of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, as both countries seek to translate political ties into stronger commercial partnerships.
The priority areas include energy and power infrastructure, manufacturing, engineering and construction, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and agro-processing, logistics and transport, financial services, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and trade and export development.
Energy emerged as a key area for collaboration, with both countries looking to build on their cooperation in the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project while exploring opportunities in renewable energy, electricity transmission and the manufacture of electrical equipment.
Manufacturing will focus on establishing factories, integrated industrial parks and value-added industries aimed at increasing production capacity, creating jobs and reducing reliance on imports.
In agriculture, Tanzania and Egypt plan to strengthen partnerships in fertiliser production, food processing, edible oils and agricultural value chains to improve productivity, food security and export competitiveness.
The two countries also agreed to expand cooperation in pharmaceuticals by encouraging investment in the production and distribution of medicines and other medical products.
Improving transport and logistics infrastructure was identified as another priority, with plans to advance the proposed Dar–Cairo Multimodal Logistics Hub to enhance connectivity and facilitate the movement of goods between East and North Africa.
Financial institutions from both countries are expected to play a greater role in supporting cross-border investments through financing, banking partnerships and access to capital for businesses.
Investment in Tanzania's Special Economic Zones, coordinated through the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), is also expected to attract export-oriented industries targeting regional and continental markets.
The two governments said they will also work to expand bilateral trade by leveraging Tanzania's strategic position as a gateway to the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The agreed priority sectors are expected to form the foundation of future business partnerships, with the private sector playing a central role in driving investment, industrialisation and employment as Tanzania and Egypt strengthen their economic partnership.
