The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (Tiseza) has embarked on an investment promotion mission in Finland, showcasing strategic projects in mining, manufacturing, agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and the digital economy. The initiative aims to connect Tanzanian projects with Finnish capital, technology, and expertise while strengthening ties between local businesses and European investors. This effort is part of Tanzania's broader strategy to attract foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. By presenting these projects, Tiseza seeks to highlight the potential for collaboration and investment in various sectors.
Deputy Minister in the President's Office (Planning and Investment), Dr. Pius Chaya, addressed potential investors in Helsinki on September 29, 2026, emphasizing Tanzania's improved business environment and the government's efforts to enhance the private sector's contribution to economic growth. He highlighted opportunities in agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, mining, mineral value addition, energy, infrastructure, tourism, ICT, and the digital economy. These opportunities align with the National Development Vision 2050, which aims to build a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable economy through higher productivity, private investment, technology, and innovation.
Tiseza Director General, Gilead Teri, presented a portfolio of projects, focusing on areas where investors can provide capital, technology, and expertise to expand production and local value addition. In the mining sector, Tiseza showcased the Epanko Graphite, Kabanga Nickel, Southern Rukwa Helium, and Panda Hill Niobium projects. These projects offer potential investors opportunities for involvement in mineral exploration, extraction, and processing. The authority also highlighted the Buzwagi Special Economic Zone, a former gold mining area being developed into a special economic zone for mineral processing and value addition.
The Buzwagi Special Economic Zone provides an opportunity for investors to utilize existing infrastructure while attracting new investment into mineral processing and other industrial activities. Tiseza is also promoting opportunities in the digital economy, including data centers, telecommunications infrastructure, submarine cables, broadband services, digital systems, and technology manufacturing. Finnish technology companies can participate through direct investment, joint ventures, technology transfer, and partnerships with Tanzanian companies. This presents a chance for collaboration and knowledge sharing between Finnish and Tanzanian businesses.
To facilitate investment, Tiseza is strengthening its role as a facilitator for investors establishing projects in Tanzania through its One Stop Facilitation Centre. The centre coordinates services and links investors with relevant government institutions, streamlining the investment process. Tiseza aims to make the investment journey easier, from identifying opportunities and establishing contacts to supporting investors through project implementation. This support system is designed to encourage and enable investors to establish and operate in Tanzania.
The mission also involves engagement with Finnish financial institutions, including Finnvera and Finnfund, as potential partners in financing projects involving Finnish and Tanzanian companies. Finland's Political Secretary, Pasi Rajala, noted that Tanzania and Finland have maintained relations for nearly six decades, with cooperation expanding from development assistance to wider economic engagement. The two countries are exploring new areas of cooperation, including digitalization and mining, which presents opportunities for mutual benefit.
The investment promotion mission is part of activities leading to the Tanzania-European Union Business and Investment Forum. Tiseza will continue engaging investors, financial institutions, and business leaders while following up on opportunities identified during the Finland mission. The goal is to turn investment prospects into projects that contribute to production, employment, technology transfer, and value addition in Tanzania. By fostering these partnerships, Tanzania aims to leverage foreign investment to drive economic growth and development.
Key points
- Tanzania is promoting investment in strategic projects, including mining, manufacturing, and the digital economy, to Finnish investors.
- The government is improving the business environment and strengthening the private sector's contribution to economic growth.
- Tiseza is facilitating investment through its One Stop Facilitation Centre, which coordinates services and links investors with relevant government institutions.
