Tanzania Launches Five Industrial Parks in a Bid to Become a Manufacturing Hub
On 12 August 2025, Tanzania officially launched five Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in a grand ceremony in Dar es Salaam. The five industrial parks are in #Bagamoyo (9,800 ha), Buzwagi (1,333 ha), Nala (607 ha), Kwala (41 ha), and Mkapa (26 ha). The industrial zones will be linked by railways and highways to the seaports to streamline the flow of raw materials and finished goods.
Not long ago, Tanzania also merged the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC) and Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) into the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones (TISEZA). Gilead Teri heads the consolidated national investment promotion agency, and his main task is to attract and catalyze investments in the #SEZ. To that aim, TISEZA introduced a new package of incentives to lure both local and overseas investors into targeted sectors, such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agro-processing, electronics and green energy solutions.
During his keynote speech, Tanzania Minister of Planning & Investment, Kitila Mkumbo, underscored the government’s commitment to iron out ‘bureaucratic hurdles’ for investors and industrialists through needed reforms. The investor-friendly policies provide both tax and non-tax incentives that are aimed at encouraging entrepreneurs to support Tanzania’s #industrialization. The ambition is to make Tanzania one of the best places to do business and one of the easiest places to set up a factory in Africa.
Minister Mkumbo added that the development of SEZ is closely tied to the National Development Plan (#NDP), also known as #TanzaniaVision2050. Through the realization of Vision 2050, the government will be able to create jobs, boost exports, and generate more revenues, thus upgrading the standard of living of its people.
“This initiative represents a strategic turning point in our investment history. It leverages our geographical location, resources, and stability to attract transformative and sustainable investments.”
President’s Office Secretary-General Tausi Kida
As an example of the streamlined process, the Government has, in advance, approved 200 factory designs, which are ready for implementation. Thus, an investor wishing to start a factory in an SEZ will receive the land for free, can secure all permits in one day, and start setting up the factory the next day, using one of the pre-approved designs.
Tanzanian President Samia Hassan highlighted that Tanzania is adopting an ambitious and aggressive #industrialization strategy focused on attracting Foreign Direct Investments (#FDI) and boosting Local Value Addition (#LVA). As per #TanzaniaVision2050, the country ambitions to transform into an export-oriented economy by leveraging its strategic location and rich resources in mining and agriculture.