Tanzania has joined African leaders in advocating for greater economic self-reliance, stronger private sector investment and reforms to the global financial system as the 2026 African Caucus meeting opened in Banjul, The Gambia.
Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar is leading Tanzania's delegation at the high-level gathering, which was officially opened by Gambian President Adama Barrow.
The meeting has convened finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers, development partners and representatives of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from all 54 African countries.
The summit comes at a time when African economies are seeking new strategies to accelerate growth, reduce dependence on external financing and mobilise domestic resources to finance development.
Delegates are expected to deliberate on ways to unlock Africa's vast economic potential by attracting greater private investment while strengthening the continent's capacity to finance its own development agenda.
Tanzania's delegation also includes Zanzibar's Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr Juma Malik Akil, and Bank of Tanzania Governor Emmanuel Tutuba.
Speaking at the opening session, President Barrow underscored the importance of African countries working together to harness their natural resources, deepen economic reforms and create an enabling environment for investment and sustainable growth.
For Tanzania, participation in the African Caucus provides an opportunity to showcase the country's economic transformation agenda and engage directly with global financial institutions on issues affecting developing economies.
The forum, held at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Banjul, is focusing on key challenges facing the continent, including debt sustainability, infrastructure financing, climate finance, job creation, poverty reduction, trade expansion and broader economic reforms.
The African Caucus serves as the official platform through which African Governors of the IMF and the World Bank Group coordinate common positions before engaging the two Bretton Woods institutions.
The forum enables African countries to speak with one voice on critical policy issues and advocate for reforms that better reflect the continent's development priorities.
Ambassador Omar and Governor Tutuba are expected to address the three-day meeting, running from July 5 to 8, where they will outline Tanzania's economic priorities and the government's strategies for sustaining robust economic growth while creating new opportunities for investors.
Their presentations are expected to highlight Tanzania's ongoing macroeconomic reforms, prudent fiscal management and investment-friendly policies aimed at strengthening economic resilience and accelerating inclusive growth.
The meeting is expected to conclude with a unified African position on strengthening cooperation with the IMF and the World Bank, while advancing reforms to the international financial architecture to better support Africa's development ambitions.
