Tanzania is seeking to deepen trade and investment ties with Germany by reducing barriers facing businesses, as 30 German companies explore opportunities in the country and the wider East African market.
The push was highlighted during the Invest EastAfrica meeting in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, where Industry and Trade Minister Judith Kapinga held talks with Germany’s Minister for Federal and European Affairs and International Affairs, Manfred Pentz.
The discussions focused on strengthening trade and investment cooperation, with the government saying a more business-friendly environment would be critical to allowing private companies from both countries to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Ms Kapinga said Tanzania was working to expand its international trade and industrial partnerships while addressing obstacles that can make it difficult for businesses to operate and invest.
“Our goal is to expand business opportunities and reduce barriers for the private sector,” she said.
The minister said removing such barriers would allow businesses in Tanzania and Germany to benefit more fully from closer economic relations.
For Tanzania, stronger links with German businesses could provide opportunities for investment, technology transfer, industrial development and access to international markets.
German companies, meanwhile, could use Tanzania as a base for accessing the broader East African market.
Mr Pentz said Germany was interested in establishing long-term economic cooperation with Tanzania and the East African region, stressing that the discussions should result in concrete investment and business projects.
He said the priority was to move from dialogue to implementation by translating the opportunities identified during the engagement into practical projects.
German Ambassador to Tanzania Annett Günther also attended the meeting.
The participation of 30 German companies provides a platform for direct engagement between investors and Tanzanian stakeholders, particularly as the government seeks to increase private-sector participation in industrialisation and trade.
The discussions also place emphasis on the practical conditions businesses face, including access to markets and the ease of establishing and expanding operations.
Turning the engagement into actual investments and increased trade will depend on how effectively identified obstacles are addressed and how quickly the two sides convert business discussions into projects.