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| Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Mr. Stanslaus Nyongo addressing the audience during the PPP dialogue in Mwanza today (April 16) |
As
Tanzania crafts its long-term development strategy, Vision 2050, the government
is placing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) at the heart of its economic
transformation agenda.
At a
national dialogue held on April 16, 2025, in Mwanza, policymakers, business
leaders, and development partners convened to discuss how collaborative
investment frameworks can help propel the country into upper-middle-income
status within the next 25 years.
Organized
by the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC), the forum was themed “The
Role of PPPs in the Context of Implementing Vision 2050” and served as a
key consultation event for shaping the national strategy.
Speaking
during the forum, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Planning and
Investment), Mr. Stanslaus Nyongo, highlighted that the country’s future growth
prospects are closely tied to how effectively the public and private sectors
can cooperate to deliver development projects.
“We are
projecting a national GDP of USD 700 billion by 2050. This is not a small
ambition. The government alone cannot reach that milestone. The private sector
must be a critical player through PPPs,” said Mr. Nyongo.
This
figure represents a dramatic leap from Tanzania’s current GDP, which hovers
around USD 85 billion as of 2024.
To achieve
such exponential growth, the country must sustain high levels of investment,
improve productivity, and diversify its economy.
According
to the Deputy Minister, PPPs will be instrumental in achieving these goals by
mobilizing private capital, technology, and managerial expertise in areas where
public resources are insufficient.
Among the
key sectors prioritized for PPP engagement under Vision 2050 are large-scale
infrastructure (such as transport and energy), public services (including
healthcare, education, and water), and industrial innovation.
“Our
infrastructure gap is significant. By engaging the private sector, we can
fast-track the development of modern ports, clean energy systems, and efficient
public transport networks,” Dr. Mangungu added.
The
dialogue also focused on the strategic shift from Vision 2025, launched in 2000
with a focus on transitioning Tanzania to a middle-income economy to the new
Vision 2050, which targets a more inclusive, resilient, and self-reliant
nation. Vision 2025’s achievements include notable improvements in economic
growth, infrastructure development, and women's participation in politics and
the economy.
“While we
have made progress under Vision 2025, development is a continuous journey,”
noted Mr. Nyongo, adding that “Vision 2050 is about taking that progress
further—towards a high-income economy that works for all Tanzanians.”
David
Kafulila, Executive Director of the PPPC, called for a cultural and
institutional mindset shift in how development is approached in Tanzania.
He
emphasized the need for systemic integration of PPPs in planning, budgeting,
and policy execution.
“If
Tanzania is to meet its Vision 2050 goals, we must stop treating PPPs as a last
resort. Instead, they should be mainstreamed as a standard approach to
financing and implementing public services and infrastructure,” said Kafulila.
He also
urged government institutions to streamline regulatory processes and foster a
business environment that is competitive, transparent, and predictable for
investors.
Crucially,
the forum challenged stakeholders to reflect on key strategic questions: How
will small and medium enterprises (SMEs) benefit from PPP opportunities? What
kind of legal and fiscal incentives are needed to attract both local and
international investors? And how can young entrepreneurs and innovators
participate in the implementation of Vision 2050?
He said that around the world, governments are working together with private companies. This kind of partnership is now a big topic in global economic talks.
“It is now difficult for governments to meet people’s needs using only taxes and loans,” he said. “By November last year, the world economy was about 115 trillion US dollars, but government debts were around 102 trillion US dollars.”
He added, “If you include debts from governments, private companies, and families, the total world debt was more than 315 trillion US dollars. This means that the global economy depends heavily on borrowing.”
Mr. Kafulila explained that over 90 percent of the world economy is run through loans. In Africa, government loans make up about 67 percent of the economy. In Tanzania, it is about 47 percent.
“You might hear people say that government debt is growing, but Tanzania is in a better position,” he said. “This shows that the sixth-phase government is managing the economy well.”
He said the meeting was held to help people understand how public-private partnerships work. It also helps them think about how the country wants to grow by the year 2050, as part of the National Development Vision.
“This is a good chance to talk about how we want our economy to be by 2050,” he said. “We must open up more space for partnerships, both inside and outside the country. The government is ready to work with private companies to build the economy.”
To that
end, Mr. Nyongo reaffirmed the Sixth Phase Government’s commitment to creating
a supportive ecosystem for private sector growth.
“Under
President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership, we are building strong partnerships
with the private sector. We will continue to strengthen policy frameworks and
ensure investor confidence,” he said.
As the
government continues to develop Vision 2050, forums like the Mwanza dialogue
are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping inclusive and forward-looking
strategies.
The
challenge now lies in translating these ambitions into actionable plans that
balance long-term vision with short-term impact.
If
Tanzania is to realize its vision of becoming a USD 700 billion economy by
2050, the momentum generated at forums like this one must not be lost. Instead,
it should serve as a foundation for a new era of collaborative development
where public and private interests align for the nation’s prosperity.
Earlier, while representing the Mwanza Regional Commissioner, Said Mtanda, the Acting Regional Administrative Secretary, Chagu Nghoma, said there are many investment opportunities to grow the region’s economy. This includes the blue economy sector, focusing on fish farming and other activities in Lake Victoria.