Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has moved a step closer to expanding his industrial footprint in East Africa after the Tanzanian government formally launched technical negotiations on proposed investments spanning fertiliser production, energy and transport infrastructure.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan directed government ministries and agencies to begin immediate discussions with Aliko Dangote’s team following a meeting in Dar es Salaam, marking the first formal step towards transforming the proposals into bankable investment projects.
The decision signals Tanzania’s determination to secure one of the continent’s biggest private-sector investment programmes at a time when East African countries are increasingly competing to attract large-scale manufacturing projects capable of creating jobs, reducing imports and strengthening regional trade.
It also comes as Tanzania and Kenya continue competing to host Dangote’s proposed East African refinery, one of the region’s most anticipated industrial projects.
“We have identified areas that can deliver significant value for Tanzania, and we are ready to work together to develop them for mutual benefit,” Dangote said after the meeting.
