Tanzania and Germany are seeking to turn growing economic ties into concrete investment projects, with technology, mining, tourism and natural resources identified as areas with potential for deeper cooperation.
The push emerged on September 16, 2026, when Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation James Millya met a German delegation of government officials and 30 senior business leaders led by Manfred Pentz, Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs.
The talks focused on investment opportunities and measures to strengthen long-term economic cooperation between Tanzania, Germany and the wider East African region.
Mr Pentz said German investors saw significant opportunities in Tanzania and East Africa, particularly in technology transfer, innovation and access to markets.
But he said some challenges needed to be addressed if the region was to attract more investment.
These include taxation, policy issues, non-tariff barriers and infrastructure, which can affect the cost and ease of doing business.
The concerns come as Tanzania seeks to attract more private capital into productive sectors while strengthening its position as a gateway to the wider East African market.
Mr Millya said Tanzania was ready to work with German investors, pointing to the country’s political stability and investment opportunities across several sectors.
He named mining, tourism, environmental management and natural resources among the strategic areas open to new investment and partnerships.
German Ambassador to Tanzania Annett Günther said the focus should now shift from discussions to implementation.
She said the Invest East Africa Forum would provide an opportunity for governments and businesses to identify and address challenges affecting investors entering the region.
The discussions also touched on emerging technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), as another area of cooperation.
Germany and the East African Community have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at supporting the integration, adoption and growth of AI technology in the region.
The cooperation could create opportunities for Tanzania to access technology and expertise while supporting innovation and the development of new businesses.
For Tanzanian businesses and workers, the potential benefits of stronger investment ties will depend on whether new projects translate into local jobs, skills transfer, technology adoption, expanded markets and greater value addition to the country’s natural resources.
The latest talks therefore put the emphasis on moving from investment interest to projects with measurable economic benefits.