Tanzania is using Japan’s influential business media to promote investment opportunities in critical minerals, manufacturing and mineral value addition as the government seeks to attract investors capable of creating jobs and supporting local production.
Minister of State in the President’s Office – Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, highlighted the opportunities during an interview with Nikkei in Japan, held as part of Tanzania’s investment mission to the country this month.
Nikkei is one of Japan’s leading business and economic media organisations and publishes The Nikkei, one of the country’s major business newspapers.
Prof Mkumbo said Tanzania was seeking to move beyond exporting raw minerals by encouraging investments in processing, manufacturing, technology transfer and other activities that can generate greater value within the country.
He said the country had significant untapped mineral potential, with only about 16 percent of its mineral resources having so far been explored and developed.
“This presents significant opportunities for Japanese and other international investors to participate in the development of Tanzania’s mineral sector,” the minister said.
The government has increasingly positioned mineral value addition as a way of expanding the contribution of the mining sector to the wider economy, particularly through local processing and manufacturing.
Prof Mkumbo also highlighted Tanzania’s strategic location, saying investors could use the country as a gateway to regional markets covering about 300 million people across the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He cited the country’s expanding manufacturing sector, tourism industry, young population and growing consumer market among factors supporting its investment appeal.
The minister’s engagement with Nikkei comes as Tanzania seeks to deepen economic ties with Japan and attract more Japanese investment into productive sectors.
The interview also provided an opportunity to present Tanzania’s investment priorities to Japanese companies and investors, particularly at a time when the government is seeking investments that can expand production, create employment and strengthen technology and skills transfer.
The investment mission is part of Tanzania’s broader efforts to raise the country’s profile among international investors and strengthen economic partnerships with Japan.