The Tanga Region in Tanzania has unveiled 17 public-private partnership (PPP) projects for private investors, spanning transport, trade, tourism, livestock, agriculture, and mining. These projects were showcased at the Tanga PPP Economic Forum on November 12, 2026, co-organized by the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) and the Tanzania National Chamber of Commerce (TNCC). The forum aimed to attract investments and boost economic growth in the region.
Under the 2023 amendments to the PPP Act, projects with a value below USD 20 million no longer require approval from the national PPP Board. Instead, decisions are now made by council directors. The government can also co-finance capital costs through viability gap funding, making economically important projects commercially viable for private investors. This change has led to an increase in PPP agreements, with 10 contracts signed in the three years since the reforms, compared to none in the previous 13 years.
The PPPC will fund the preparation of a dedicated PPP strategy for Tanga Region. One notable project is a road project under PPP announced by the Ministry of Works, which has drawn investor interest and is undergoing screening and due diligence. Additionally, a study on bringing Tanga's sisal estates into the PPP pipeline is proposed, given the region's historical position in the global sisal market. The PPPC Tanga pipeline document identified 19 projects, of which 17 were shortlisted after screening for viability and access to basic infrastructure.
The shortlisted projects include a mix of greenfield, brownfield, and yellowfield projects, with the largest being the Pongwe Dry Port in Tanga City on 595,785 square meters. Other notable projects include the Horohoro Parking Lots, Mombo Bus Stand, and Mkata Lorry Park. Trade projects include the Dr. Samia Suluhu Business Centre, the Horohoro Border Crop Market, and the Korogwe Commercial Centre. These projects offer opportunities for investors to contribute to the region's economic growth.
The Tanga Regional Commissioner, Dr. Batilda Burian, highlighted the region's economic growth, with its contribution to national GDP increasing from TZS 6 trillion in 2021/22 to TZS 10.3 trillion. She attributed this growth to the government's investments, such as the TZS 429.1 billion Tanga Port expansion, which increased annual capacity and customs revenue. Dr. Burian also proposed PPP joint ventures to develop high-rise buildings and shopping malls in Tanga's city centre.
Tanzania's public-private partnership framework is governed by the PPP Act of 2010, amended in 2023. The PPPC has been fully operational since January 2024, and by July 2026, 129 PPP projects were at different stages of preparation and implementation. Agreements worth over TZS 8.5 trillion have been signed since 2023, with 10 PPP projects worth TZS 8.6 trillion under implementation in the 2026/27 financial year.
The government is reviewing the PPP Act to improve project preparation and financing. In 2026, six road projects were opened to private investors under PPP, including the 246 km Chalinze-Segera-Tanga highway linking the Northern Corridor to Tanga Port. With these developments, Tanga Region is poised to attract significant investments and drive economic growth in Tanzania.
Key points
- 17 PPP projects are open to private investors in Tanga Region, Tanzania.
- The projects span transport, trade, tourism, livestock, agriculture, and mining sectors.
- The Tanga Region's contribution to national GDP grew from TZS 6 trillion in 2021/22 to TZS 10.3 trillion.
