Govt seeks investor-led PPP project pipeline

DAR ES SALAAM: THE government has urged investors to take the lead in identifying and developing viable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects as Tanzania seeks to unlock more private capital for economic growth.

The call comes as the government seeks to mobilise more private-sector capital to support its ambition of building a 1 trillion US dollars economy, with investors encouraged to identify opportunities, develop project concepts and engage authorities directly.

The approach marks a shift from a model where investors mainly wait for government to identify, design and advertise projects before seeking privatesector participation.

The PPP Centre Executive Director, Mr David Kafulila, said yesterday that businesses should identify commercially viable opportunities in their regions and work with government institutions to develop them under the PPP framework.

“Investors and businesses should prepare themselves since they are in the market, identify opportunities and work with government authorities to determine areas where they can invest through partnerships,” Mr Kafulila said recently.

He said the approach would enable businesses to identify market gaps, develop project concepts and engage the government early, rather than limiting private-sector participation to bidding for projects already designed and advertised by the state.

According to Mr Kafulila, greater investor involvement at the project-identification stage could help bring private-sector knowledge, market assessment and financing considerations into the development process.

He said achieving the one trillion US dollars economic target would require a shift in how the government and businesses approach development, including stronger engagement between public institutions and investors.

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Mr Kafulila also urged government officials at regional, district and local levels to adopt a more business-oriented approach by working with communities and investors to identify and develop economic opportunities.

The push comes as Tanzania advances its National Development Vision 2050, which seeks to transform the economy and improve citizens’ welfare.

Mr Kafulila said the vision requires broad private-sector participation, with businesses and investors playing a central role in turning investment opportunities into productive economic activity.

“This vision belongs to all of us, particularly investors and businesses. You have a significant role because of your position within the vision,” he said.

The approach could also give local authorities and communities a greater role in identifying commercially viable opportunities, while enabling investors to engage early with public institutions on project development.

Coastal Region was highlighted as a strategic investment area, with businesses encouraged to identify projects capable of unlocking local economic potential and work with authorities to develop them under the PPP framework.

The initiative therefore places greater emphasis on collaboration between government and the private sector from the early stages of project development, rather than limiting engagement to procurement and bidding.