PRIME Minister Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba has urged French businesses to seize emerging opportunities under the newly launched Tanzania Development Vision 2050, as the country aims to build a one-trillion-dollar economy anchored in industrialization, logistics, and value addition.

Speaking on Monday at the Tanzania–France Business Roundtable in Paris, the Prime Minister emphasized that Tanzania is transitioning away from traditional aid toward structured partnerships focused on industrial production, technology transfer, and local value addition. The high-level forum was jointly organized by the Tanzanian Embassy in Paris, MEDEF International, and the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF). Officials noted that the rollout of Vision 2050 on July 1, 2026, marks a decisive turning point in Tanzania’s growth trajectory.

Dr. Nchemba outlined major investment opportunities across agriculture—which employs 65 percent of the population and contributes over a quarter of GDP—proposing joint ventures in agro-processing, cold-chain logistics, and smart irrigation. He also highlighted infrastructure enablers like the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and port expansions that position Tanzania as a strategic gateway linking East, Central, and Southern Africa. French firms were invited to invest in transport systems, renewable energy, mining beneficiation (for gold, tanzanite, lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements), the Blue Economy, and the expanding digital ecosystem.

To streamline setups, the Prime Minister promoted the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) as a one-stop center offering robust legal protections, policy stability, and profit repatriation guarantees. Alongside economic engagement, Tanzania also highlighted cultural diplomacy initiatives, particularly the global expansion of Kiswahili through international media platforms.

The roundtable culminated in a significant institutional milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the TPSF. Under the watchful eye of the Prime Minister, the strategic agreement was finalized as TPSF Chief Executive Officer Deo Massawe exchanged the documents with ICC Deputy Secretary General Julia Kassum, cementing a new framework for global commercial cooperation.

The private sector's role in driving national development took center stage during the high-level deliberations. Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, noted that the forum directly aligns with Vision 2050, which targets an unprecedented 70 percent contribution from the private sector to drive national economic transformation. Ambassador Kombo emphasized that Tanzania is deliberately positioning itself as a private sector-led economy, supported by policy reforms aimed at improving the investment climate.

TPSF President Angelina Ngalula added that Tanzania is firmly at the center of Africa's evolving economic landscape under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership. She noted that future cooperation must evolve into deeper, technology-driven collaborations focused on value creation across financial services, tourism, and the digital economy.

The event attracted a diverse array of French companies representing advanced sectors, including firms specializing in solar energy systems, smart lighting infrastructure, urban transport solutions, water treatment, and construction engineering. Investors from emerging blue economy industries also participated, alongside global satellite operators and industrial manufacturers specializing in high-grade piping solutions for the oil and gas sector.

The high-level engagement was attended by Minister for Minerals Anthony Mavunde, Minister for Energy Deogratius Ndejembi, and Tanzania’s Ambassador to France, Saidi Othman Yakubu. They were joined by MEDEF International CEO Philippe Gautier and French–East African Business Council President Celine Gouvieia. Officials said the strong turnout reflected growing investor confidence in Tanzania’s reform agenda and its long-term economic vision.