Tanzania seeks fresh Dangote investments in fertiliser, energy, industrial infrastructure
The Tanzanian Government is seeking fresh investments from the Dangote Group in fertiliser production, energy and industrial infrastructure as it looks to accelerate economic development and expand its manufacturing capacity.
The Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, disclosed this when a Tanzanian delegation recently visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.
In a statement on Sunday, Mkumbo said the visit was aimed at advancing discussions between the Tanzanian Government and the Dangote Group on expanding the conglomerate’s investment footprint in the East African country.
He said the discussions followed an earlier meeting between Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, over possible new investments by the group.
Mkumbo noted that Dangote already has a significant presence in Tanzania, where the group operates the country’s largest cement manufacturing plant, with an investment estimated at about $800 million.
“We have come here to make a follow-up on what they deliberated with our president in terms of further Dangote investments in Tanzania,” Mkumbo said.
According to the minister, Tanzania is particularly interested in Dangote’s expertise in fertiliser production and refinery operations, which he said could contribute significantly to industrial development and economic growth in the region.
Mkumbo also called for stronger economic integration among African countries, arguing that the continent must move beyond political cooperation and focus more on industrialisation and economic development.
He said deeper collaboration with the Dangote Group could support economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area and strengthen manufacturing capacity across Africa.
“Africa now needs economic liberation, and that can only come through industrialisation,” he said.
The minister described Aliko Dangote as a leading African industrialist whose investments are expanding beyond Nigeria and contributing to industrial development across the continent.
He said Tanzania was looking forward to working with the Dangote Group to promote Pan-African industrialisation and expand regional manufacturing capacity.
Mkumbo also stressed the importance of developing local refining capacity to strengthen Africa’s energy security, particularly amid disruptions in the global oil market.
He cited the impact of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz on global fuel prices, saying increased refining capacity from facilities such as the Dangote refinery could help African economies withstand external shocks.
According to him, access to affordable and reliable energy remains critical to economic development, while expanded refining capacity could help reduce energy costs and improve living standards across the continent.
The visit formed part of ongoing engagements between the Tanzanian Government and the Dangote Group to explore strategic investment opportunities, industrial development and greater regional economic integration.
