DIGITAL ECONOMY: China firms eye ICT investment

BEIJING, CHINA: TWO major Chinese companies have expressed interest in investing in Tanzania, focusing on satellite technology and the manufacturing of ICT equipment.

This significant move is part of Tanzania’s broader strategy to boost its digital infrastructure.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is currently in Beijing, China, attending the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held the meetings with the investors yesterday.

The discussions centred around strengthening Tanzania’s digital economy and enhancing technological capabilities.

Speaking after the meeting, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communication and Information Technology, Mo hammed Khamis Abdulla revealed that President Samia met with the two companies as part of preparations for Tanzania’s satellite project.

“One of the companies has shown interest in collaborating with Tanzania to launch its own satellite.

This is a crucial step as the country plans to launch a pro gramme called ‘From Mount Kilimanjaro: The Peak of Africa to Space’ later this year,” said Mr Abdulla.

He added that while communication services are already available on Mount Kilimanjaro, the goal is to go beyond and extend Tanzania’s reach into space.

The second company, which specialises in ICT equipment, has shown a keen interest in supporting Tanzania’s Digital Economy Strategy, a ten-year plan aimed at transforming the country’s digital landscape.

This includes building factories to manufacture laptops, computers and other ICT-related products.

“We are ready to collaborate with them and we have prepared a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining the specific areas where we will partner,” Mr Abdulla said.

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During the meeting, President Samia held talks with leaders from companies such as China Academy of Space Corporation (CASC), China Electronics Corporation, Transsion Group, Weihua Group, China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and Acme Consultant Engineers PTE Limited, all from China.

According to Gilead Teri, the Executive Director of the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC), President Samia also met with four major investment companies in China.

The companies focus on the production of electronic goods, tourism investment, heavy metal products and the development of industrial parks.

“TIC has assured these investors that they will find a safe and conducive environment for their operations in Tanzania.

We are committed to ensuring that they will have the necessary incentives to produce goods for both local markets and for export to SADC and beyond,” said Mr Teri.

He further urged Tanzanians to prepare to seize the opportunities that will arise from these investments, emphasising the importance of partnering with foreign investors to boost local production and secure a stable market.

President Samia also engaged with Tanzanians living in China, including workers, students and businesspeople.