Fresh air for central corridor
DAR ES SALAAM: THE World Bank has committed to deepening cooperation with Tanzania to upgrade the Central Corridor from a transit route into a fully-fledged economic corridor capable of driving industrial activity and job creation, in line with Dira 2050.
The bank’s Vice-President for Eastern and Southern Africa, Dr Ndiame Diop, said this yesterday during talks with the Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar at the ministry’s sub-office in the city on the second day of his visit.
He said the partnership will prioritise investment in key infrastructure, including ports and railways, as well as expansion of the rail network to Burundi to enhance regional connectivity.
“One of our key areas of cooperation going forward is strengthening projects along the Central Corridor. We have had fruitful discussions with the Minister for Finance on how we can jointly support and transform this route into an economic corridor that creates jobs,” he said.
Dr Diop added that, beyond transport infrastructure, there is a need for inclusive investments along the corridor to maximise value addition in sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, mining and mineral processing.
He also highlighted the importance of establishing logistics hubs and ensuring that communities benefit directly from the investments.
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According to him, increased private sector participation will be critical in enabling Tanzania and neighbouring countries to shift from exporting raw materials to value-added products, a move expected to boost production, trade and employment.
Dr Diop arrived in the country on Wednesday for a three-day working visit aimed at strengthening cooperation with Tanzania.
He was received at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam by the Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and Commissioner for External Finance, Mr Rished Bade.
Dr Diop is making his first visit since his appointment in 2025. The visit aims to strengthen and sustain the long-standing partnership between the government and the World Bank, as well as discuss areas of cooperation to accelerate the country’s economic and social development.
During his visit, Dr Diop is expected to gain a deeper understanding of Tanzania’s development priorities and explore how the World Bank can continue supporting the implementation of the national development agenda.
