Tanzania is positioning itself for a new wave of large-scale industrial capital as President Samia Suluhu Hassan held discussions with Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, founder of Dangote Industries Limited, on a potential expansion of the company’s investments in the country. The meeting took place at the State House in Dar es Salaam and centered on infrastructure, energy, fertilizer production, ports and regional trade.

Both sides described the talks as part of an ongoing relationship between Tanzania and the Dangote Group, with attention on projects that could support the country’s industrial and economic development plans.

Dangote said Tanzania continues to stand out as an attractive destination for long-term investment, pointing to opportunities across key sectors of the economy.

“We have identified areas that can deliver significant value for Tanzania, and we are ready to work together to develop them for our mutual benefit,” he said.

Infrastructure, energy and fertilizer projects in focus

The discussions covered several large-scale proposals, including port development works, a planned 40-kilometre concrete access road to improve cargo movement, and a special economic zone intended to support trade and manufacturing activity.

Energy projects also featured prominently. These include a proposed 2,000-megawatt coal-fired power plant aimed at strengthening electricity supply for industrial use. Fertiliser production was also discussed, alongside transport links connecting Mtwara with Mbamba Bay in southern Tanzania.

Dangote also addressed plans for an East African refinery, noting that the company had chosen Lamu in Kenya for the project after technical and commercial reviews. He said Tanzania would still be invited to participate in the broader investment framework.

President Samia welcomed the proposals and instructed relevant ministries and agencies to begin detailed technical work in line with national laws and development priorities. She also appointed the minister responsible for planning and investment to coordinate engagement with Dangote Industries.

A government delegation is expected to travel to Nigeria in the coming weeks to continue discussions and work on implementation plans.

Existing investment and wider expansion plans

According to Tanzania’s Directorate of Presidential Communications, the government is seeking to deepen cooperation with private investors as part of efforts to increase industrial output, support job creation and improve technology transfer.

Dangote Industries already operates a major cement plant in Mtwara valued at about $500 million, with an annual capacity of three million tonnes supplying both domestic and regional markets.

Beyond Tanzania, Dangote Industries has also secured financing support from the Africa Finance Corporation for a $7 billion expansion programme targeting fertilizer production in Nigeria and new manufacturing investments in Ethiopia.

Dangote, whose net worth is estimated at $34.2 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, continues to oversee one of Africa’s largest private industrial portfolios spanning cement, energy, transport and manufacturing.