The World Bank has pledged to deepen its partnership with Tanzania in developing the Central Corridor, with a focus on turning the key transport route into a wider economic hub capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and boosting trade across the region.
The commitment was made on Thursday by World Bank Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr Ndiame Diop, during talks with Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar in Dar es Salaam.
Dr Diop said the Central Corridor offered significant opportunities to Tanzania and neighbouring countries if investments were expanded beyond transport infrastructure to include production, processing and logistics.
He said the World Bank was ready to support strategic investments in infrastructure, including ports and railways, as well as efforts to extend the railway network towards Burundi.
“One of the major areas of our future cooperation is strengthening projects along the Central Corridor and transforming it into an economic corridor that can create many jobs,” Dr Diop said.
The proposed approach would see the corridor evolve from primarily facilitating the movement of goods and passengers into a platform supporting economic activity in areas such as agriculture, agro-processing, mining, manufacturing and logistics.
Dr Diop said greater investment in value addition would allow Tanzania and its neighbours to earn more from their resources by processing products locally rather than exporting raw materials.
He said the World Bank also wanted to see stronger private-sector participation, arguing that public infrastructure investment combined with private capital could increase production, trade and employment.
Dr Diop said future cooperation would be guided by the need to create productive employment while supporting Tanzania as it responds to population growth and changing economic needs.
The World Bank also plans to maintain the Country Partnership Strategy as the main framework for its cooperation with Tanzania, with greater emphasis on people-centred development.
The priority areas include education, health and social protection, alongside efforts to strengthen the private sector.
Dr Diop said progress in these areas would require continued investment in energy and transport, which are critical to expanding economic opportunities and supporting businesses.
For his part, Ambassador Omar said Tanzania was committed to strengthening its strategic relationship with the World Bank to support economic growth and development.
He said the government would continue implementing reforms aimed at improving the business and investment environment while working closely with the World Bank and its private-sector arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
“Our cooperation is important in implementing Tanzania’s development priorities, particularly infrastructure, including energy, roads and ports,” Ambassador Omar said.
He said the government appreciated continued support from the World Bank and other development partners for projects and reforms designed to expand the economy and improve citizens’ living standards.
The World Bank’s investment in Tanzania through the International Development Association (IDA) has reached $8.96 billion, supporting 35 projects.
Of the total, 32 projects worth more than $8.78 billion are national projects, while three regional projects have a combined value of about $180 million.
The renewed focus on the Central Corridor comes as Tanzania seeks to maximise its strategic geographical position and strengthen its role as a gateway for regional trade.
Beyond improving the movement of goods, the planned investments could support local industries, expand markets for farmers and producers, improve logistics and create new employment opportunities along the corridor.
The initiative also aligns with Tanzania’s long-term development ambitions under the National Development Vision 2050, which places emphasis on inclusive economic growth, productive employment and improved living standards.
The meeting was attended by Acting Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Nsubili Joshua, World Bank Country Director Firas Raad, Assistant Commissioner for External Finance Robert Mtengule, Assistant Commissioner for Policy Analysis Juma Mkabakuli and other senior officials from the ministry and the World Bank.
