Stakeholders push local participation in PPP projects
DAR ES SALAAM: STAKEHOLDERS have emphasised the importance of local participation in implementing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, saying it is crucial for empowering Tanzanians beyond the concept of local content.
They made the remarks in Dar es Salaam during the launch of the PPPC Centre Stage as the country prepares to implement the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP IV) for 2026/27–2030/31.
The PPPC Centre Stage is a dialogue series initiated by the Public-Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) to bring together policymakers, investors, academics and development partners to deliberate on how Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) can support the implementation of the ambitious development agenda.
Director of Policy and Research at the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), Ms Mwanahamis Hussein, said local participation should be prioritised to ensure the domestic private sector becomes part of the shareholding structure in companies managing PPP projects.
“When we talk about partnerships, it is important to consider the principles of economic nationalism. PPP projects should ensure that the local private sector participates fully in the ownership and management of the respective projects,” she said.
Ms Hussein added that such participation would ensure that once foreign investors exit, the local private sector will have strengthened its technological capacity and skills, enabling it to continue managing the projects efficiently.
She also recommended conducting specific research to determine the most suitable model of local participation in PPP projects capable of effectively meeting the country’s development needs.
“It is important to conduct indepth research to identify which model of local participation can deliver positive outcomes for the national economy,” she emphasised.
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She further advised the government to allocate adequate resources for feasibility studies and strengthen the PPP Fund to support the preparation and development of PPP projects.
Executive Director of the PPPC, Mr David Kafulila, said the government continues to strengthen dialogue platforms to gather views from different stakeholders on the implementation of development projects.
He said the platforms will enable citizens and the private sector to present proposals regarding projects expected to be implemented under the five-year development plan.
“We want to build constructive dialogue that will enable stakeholders to express what they would like to see implemented in the country’s development projects,” he said.
Mr Kafulila added that the centre plans to organise monthly stakeholder meetings to discuss key issues, including the best ways of financing PPP projects.
Meanwhile, an economist from the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Dr Richard Mbunda, said the private sector is a key driver of economic development and plays a crucial role in achieving the National Development Vision 2050 as well as the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (2026/27–2030/31).
