PM calls for better investor support

DODOMA: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has urged leaders in government institutions and authorities to facilitate investors, rather than impose unnecessary restrictions to attract more investment.

He said stronger publicprivate partnerships are essential for the country to achieve its long-term economic ambitions. Dr Nchemba made the remarks yesterday during the inauguration of Mikumi Wildlife Lodge at Mikumi National Park in Kilosa District, Morogoro Region. He urged government agencies to dedicate more effort to supporting investors and encouraging them to expand their investments.

“I call on government institutions and authorities to spend more time facilitating investors rather than controlling them. They should encourage increased investment instead of making investors feel as though they are begging and use incentives to attract more capital,” he said.

The Prime Minister noted that sustained investment in tourism infrastructure and services will be key to Tanzania’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2050, adding that more than 70 per cent of the implementation of Vision 2050 will depend on private sector participation.

“The private sector is the engine of national development. Achieving our economic ambitions will require strong investment partnerships,” he said.

Dr Nchemba described the newly launched Mikumi Wildlife Lodge as a major boost to the country’s tourism sector and the growth of the Southern Tourism Circuit. The lodge, which was previously government-owned before being destroyed by fire years ago, has now been redeveloped into a modern tourism facility.

He said the investment had already contributed to job creation, increased incomes for local communities and expanded economic activity in the area. “Without investments like this, such areas would remain underutilised. Today, this investment has created employment opportunities, increased national income and improved people’s earnings,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that the lodge’s international-standard accommodation facilities would increase the attractiveness of Mikumi National Park and encourage tourists to stay longer.

“These are high-quality standards that will strengthen the competitiveness of our tourism sector and raise the profile of Mikumi National Park in international tourism markets,” he said.

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The government has set a target of attracting approximately eight million tourists by 2030 as part of broader efforts to expand tourism’s contribution to the national economy. Dr Nchemba said government initiatives aimed at promoting tourism had already contributed to a rise in tourist arrivals, increasing from more than 5.3 million to over 5.9 million visitors last year.

He also said the ongoing investments in strategic infrastructure are aimed at supporting tourism growth, including airports, roads, park entry gates and accommodation facilities. Among the key projects is the construction of Kikoboga Airport near Mikumi National Park, which the government has funded with 35bn/-.

“The government has invested 35bn/- in the construction of the airport and I have been informed that by October this year the project will be fully completed,” he said.

Dr Nchemba said Mikumi National Park also stands to benefit from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments to be hosted in Dar es Salaam, noting that visiting teams, supporters and stakeholders could use the park for tourism, leisure and recovery activities after matches. He further highlighted improvements in transport connectivity through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), saying that trains now stop at Kilosa Station, located near Mikumi National Park.

At the same time, he called on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, the Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) and other government agencies to accelerate the construction of access roads and a dedicated park gate on the Kilosa side to improve visitor accessibility.

“We must complete the road and gate infrastructure quickly to increase accessibility, attractiveness and ease of entry into the park,” he stressed.

The Prime Minister also encouraged tourism stakeholders to develop innovative tourism products capable of attracting more domestic and international visitors to the Southern Tourism Circuit.

“Countries with fewer natural attractions than ours have succeeded by creating innovative tourism products that continue attracting large numbers of visitors. We too must continue diversifying our tourism products,” he said.

Earlier, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Dr Ashatu Kijaji said Mikumi National Park had experienced significant growth in visitor numbers in recent years. She said annual tourist arrivals had increased from 60,000 in previous years to 174,808 visitors last year.

According to Dr Kijaji, tourism revenue generated by the park also rose sharply from 2.5bn/- to 9.81bn/- last year. She added that by March 31, this year, the park had already received 151,275 visitors and generated 10.12bn/- in revenue.

Dr Kijaji further revealed that the government had allocated four billion shillings for the construction of a new park gate on the Kilosa side, which will significantly reduce travel time from the SGR station to the park.

“Once visitors arrive at Kilosa Station by SGR train, it will take only 20 minutes to enter the park,” she said.

The construction and renovation of the 48-room Mikumi Wildlife Lodge cost 26.8bn/-. The lodge is fully Tanzanian-owned and is part of 24 tourism projects operated by the Wellworth Group, which owns hotels, lodges, resorts and tourist camps with total investments valued at 640bn/-.