Edible oil factories create 2,820 jobs in Central Zone

DODOMA: NEWLY established factories processing and refining sunflower cooking oil in the central regions of Singida and Dodoma have cumulatively generated 2,820 direct and indirect jobs for local residents.

Industry and Trade Minister Judith Kapinga told legislators recently in the National Assembly in Dodoma while tabling the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s budget estimates for the 2026/27 Financial Year.

She said the government remains committed to attracting more investors to boost the industrial sector. Ms Kapinga noted that the Mainland Group Agro Process Co Ltd factory located in Dodoma has expanded its operations, enabling it to process 150,000 tonnes of sunflower seeds annually, up from 75,000 tonnes per year.

According to the Minister, by April 2026, the factory had produced 48,000 tonnes of cooking oil and created 450 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs.

The Minister added that during the 2025/2026 financial year, the Vion Win Ltd factory in Singida Region, which processes and refines sunflower cooking oil and produces sunflower seed cake for animal feed, was constructed. She explained that the factory invested approximately 5.5bn/- in capital and, as of April 2026, had created 70 direct jobs and 300 indirect jobs.

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The Singida-based factory, the Minister noted, has an installed capacity to process 100 tonnes of sunflower seeds per day. Apart from edible oil factories in the Central Zone, the Minister said new industries have mushroomed across the country, significantly contributing to the national economy.

Among them, she mentioned the Afriport Apparel factory in Dar es Salaam, which is a strategic investment producing specialised workplace protective gear. She said the factory has invested 8.8 million US dollars in capital and has an installed production capacity of 10 million pairs of garments annually, while creating 1,000 direct jobs and 2,500 indirect jobs.

The Minister explained that the factory commenced production in February 2026 and by April 2026 had produced 50,000 pairs of garments, creating 200 direct jobs and 600 indirect jobs.

Ms Kapinga also mentioned the Giant Group Co Ltd factory in Coast Region, which specialises in manufacturing electrical cables and equipment. According to her, the factory has invested approximately 15 million US dollars in capital and has an installed capacity to produce four tonnes of electrical cables per day.