President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said Tanzania’s hosting of the Africa50 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders and Infrastructure Forum is a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economic transformation agenda and its growing position as a strategic investment hub in Africa.
Speaking during the opening of the two-day forum at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam, President Samia said the meeting demonstrates increasing trust from investors in Tanzania’s reforms and efforts to build modern infrastructure that supports trade, industrialisation and regional integration.
She said bringing together African leaders, investors and development partners provides an opportunity to share experiences and develop practical solutions for accelerating infrastructure development across the continent.
“The hosting of this meeting in Tanzania shows confidence that Africa’s future must be built by Africans through strong leadership and partnerships. Through Africa50, infrastructure projects in energy, roads and ports are already creating positive impacts for citizens,” President Samia said.
The President said Tanzania will continue strengthening regional value chains, attracting investment and promoting strategic partnerships to support sustainable economic growth.
She said the government’s infrastructure development plans are aligned with the National Development Vision 2050, which places the private sector at the centre of economic expansion, with expectations that it will contribute significantly to development over the next 25 years.
President Samia said improved infrastructure remains critical in connecting markets, reducing business costs and enabling more citizens and businesses to benefit from expanding trade opportunities within Africa and globally.
She called on African countries to focus on developing modern infrastructure, strengthening value chains and expanding industrial production to increase the continent’s competitiveness.
President Samia highlighted major infrastructure projects that have positioned Tanzania as a key economic gateway in the region, including the expansion of the Dar es Salaam Port, construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), improvement of transport corridors and upgrading of airports.
She said these investments are aimed at improving connectivity, supporting businesses and strengthening Tanzania’s role in regional and international trade.
Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar said the forum provides an important platform for African countries to develop joint strategies for financing and implementing infrastructure projects that can accelerate economic development.
African Development Bank (AfDB) President Dr Sidi Ould Tah said the institution’s growth, including an increase in its shareholder base to 38 countries, reflects progress achieved during its first decade and provides a foundation for greater impact in the future.
Africa50 Chief Executive Officer Alain Ebobissé said the organisation has invested in 36 infrastructure projects across 34 African countries over the past 10 years, supporting projects valued at more than US$9 billion.
He said Africa50 has supported major initiatives, including energy transmission projects driven by private investors in Kenya and programmes aimed at unlocking more financing for infrastructure development.
Ebobissé said Africa50 will continue working with African governments and private investors to expand investments in energy, transport and other priority sectors.
“In the next 10 years, we will continue building projects that will drive infrastructure development and improve energy access across Africa. We are ready to work with leaders and stakeholders to achieve this goal,” he said.
The forum highlights Tanzania’s ambition to become a leading investment destination while advancing Africa’s broader agenda of improving connectivity, expanding trade and accelerating economic transformation through infrastructure development.
