The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) has called for greater investment in Songwe, saying the region has significant potential that could be unlocked through value addition, strategic investments and stronger private-sector participation.
The call was made during the two-day Songwe Dira 2050 Forum, held on August 19 and 20 to discuss ways of translating Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050 into practical development programmes.
TISEZA used the forum to showcase investment opportunities in Songwe and explain measures being taken to attract, facilitate and support investors, particularly in sectors with the potential to create jobs, expand economic activity and increase the value of locally available resources.
Presenting at the forum, TISEZA Southern Highlands Zone Manager Fidelis Obanga said the authority was aligning its investment promotion efforts with the priorities of Vision 2050.
He said this included promoting productive investments, encouraging investors to enter strategic sectors and ensuring that regions make better use of their economic and natural resource potential.
Mr Obanga said Songwe should move beyond simply having natural resources and focus on attracting investments capable of processing and adding value to those resources within the region.
“The opportunity for Songwe is not only to attract investors, but also to ensure that investment translates into jobs, value addition and wider economic opportunities for local communities,” he said.
The emphasis on value addition comes as Tanzania seeks to transform its economy through increased productivity, industrialisation and greater private-sector participation under Vision 2050.
The Songwe Dira 2050 Forum, held under the theme “Changing Mindsets in Leadership and Performance Towards Vision 2050,” brought together government leaders, experts, public institutions and other stakeholders to deliberate on strategies for accelerating the implementation of the national development agenda.
The forum was officially opened on August 19 by Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Prof Kitila Mkumbo, while Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Dr Festo Dugange, closed the forum on August 20.
The discussions placed emphasis on translating Vision 2050 into tangible development outcomes at regional and local levels.
For Songwe, increased investment could provide an opportunity to expand employment, strengthen local businesses, improve value chains and increase the region’s contribution to Tanzania’s economic transformation.
TISEZA’s participation also underscored the need for closer collaboration between government, investors and local stakeholders to ensure that investment opportunities identified under Vision 2050 translate into measurable benefits for citizens.
