Tanzania lures Japanese investments in its untapped mineral resources, manufacturing sector and access to regional markets

TOKYO: TANZANIA has positioned its largely untapped mineral resources, while expanding manufacturing sector and access to regional markets as key opportunities for Japanese investors, as the country steps up efforts to deepen investment and economic ties with Japan.

Minister of State in the President’s Office – Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila A. Mkumbo (MP), made the remarks during an interview with Nikkei in Japan, held as part of the Tanzania Investment Mission to Japan taking place this month.

Nikkei, one of Japan’s leading business and economic media organisations and publisher of The Nikkei, Japan’s largest business newspaper, provided a significant platform for Tanzania to present its investment priorities to Japan’s business and investment community.

During the interview, Prof. Mkumbo identified critical minerals, mineral value addition, manufacturing and other productive sectors among the areas offering significant investment opportunities in Tanzania.

He stressed that the Government is seeking to attract high-value investments that move beyond the extraction and export of raw materials, with greater emphasis on local processing, manufacturing, technology transfer and employment creation.

According to Prof. Mkumbo, only about 16 percent of Tanzania’s mineral potential has so far been explored and developed, highlighting the substantial scope for further exploration, development and international partnerships.

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The Minister also pointed to Tanzania’s strategic geographical position as an important advantage for investors seeking access to regional markets. He noted that companies investing in Tanzania can potentially access a market of approximately 300 million people across the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Beyond its mineral wealth, Prof. Mkumbo highlighted Tanzania’s diversified and growing economy, expanding manufacturing base, strong tourism performance, young population and growing consumer market as factors strengthening the country’s position as an attractive investment destination.

The Minister’s engagement with Nikkei forms part of Tanzania’s broader investment promotion efforts in Japan, aimed at increasing the visibility of opportunities available in the country and encouraging greater participation by Japanese companies in Tanzania’s productive sectors.

The interview also provided an opportunity to communicate Tanzania’s investment priorities directly to Japan’s corporate, business and investment community, while reinforcing efforts to strengthen Tanzania–Japan economic relations.

The Tanzania Investment Mission to Japan is expected to further support dialogue between Tanzanian authorities and Japanese investors, with a focus on identifying opportunities for partnerships that can contribute to industrial development, value addition, technology transfer and sustainable economic growth in Tanzania.