Tanzania holds talks with AFD to scale up agricultural financing

DODOMA: THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gerald Mweli, has held talks with France’s development agency, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), to scale up agricultural financing and reduce reliance on imported food crops.

The meeting, held in Dodoma, brought together AFD Resident Director Celine Robert and Project Officer Marion Vigneau, who commended Tanzania’s ongoing investment in transforming the agriculture sector.

Speaking at the meeting, AFD urged closer collaboration in financing agricultural value chains, particularly edible oils and wheat, to boost local production and cut import dependency while strengthening food security for smallholder farmers.

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On his part, the PS welcomed the partnership, applauding AFD’s continued support to key initiatives, including the Credit Guarantee Scheme under the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank, which expands access to affordable financing for farmers.

He said the government is prioritising private sector participation under the Agriculture Master Plan (AMP 2050), aligned with the National Development Vision 2050, to accelerate sector reforms and productivity.

Both sides agreed that AFD will continue channeling agricultural financing through government institutions, including the Agricultural Inputs Trust Fund and TADB, to facilitate affordable loans to farmers through commercial banks.