TISEZA, TIB sign strategic deal to boost investment and industrial growth

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with TIB Development Bank aimed at accelerating investment, strengthening industrial development, and enhancing the performance of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country.

Speaking after the signing, TISEZA Director General Gilead Teri said the partnership marks a major step in improving the investment environment and advancing Tanzania’s industrialization agenda.

“This agreement is a significant milestone in strengthening the country’s investment ecosystem. Through this collaboration, we will enhance investment facilitation, promote Special Economic Zones, and contribute to job creation and economic transformation,” he said.

Teri noted that the partnership will simplify investment processes, improve investor support services, and introduce capacity-building programs for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly those operating within SEZs. The initiatives are expected to improve financial management, compliance, and overall investment readiness.

He added that the agreement also establishes strong monitoring and evaluation systems, including key performance indicators (KPIs), to track results such as jobs created, capital inflows, and overall economic impact.

The collaboration will further involve joint research, policy advocacy, and knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as the organization of investment forums and business networking platforms to connect investors with opportunities in Tanzania.

On its part, TIB Development Bank emphasized its commitment to supporting the country’s economic transformation through financing and technical expertise.

TIB Managing Director Deogratius Kwiyukwa said the agreement goes beyond a formal partnership, describing it as a decisive step toward building a solid economic foundation for the country.

“This is not just about signing documents, but a concrete step toward strengthening our nation’s economic base. The partnership will enable us to promote investment, develop industrial infrastructure, and enhance Tanzania’s competitiveness both regionally and globally,” he said.

Kwiyukwa highlighted that the collaboration aligns with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 and will focus on key transformative sectors, including industrialization and agro-processing, infrastructure and urban development, clean energy, digital innovation, and trade and logistics.

“These sectors are critical in driving sustainable economic growth, creating jobs, and improving the livelihoods of Tanzanians,” he noted.

He added that TIB, as a development finance institution with over five decades of experience, will play a central role in mobilizing capital for strategic projects through financial solutions such as concessional loans, guarantees, blended finance, and public-private partnerships (PPPs), particularly for infrastructure development within SEZs.

Both institutions acknowledged existing challenges, including limited access to affordable financing, infrastructure gaps, and bureaucratic hurdles, but expressed confidence that the partnership will help address these issues through coordinated efforts and shared expertise.

The agreement is aligned with the government’s broader economic reform agenda under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which prioritizes industrialization, private sector growth, and increased global competitiveness.

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With the partnership now in place, stakeholders expect increased investment flows, faster implementation of strategic projects, and stronger positioning of Tanzania as a regional hub for trade and industrial development.