Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on African leaders to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects as Tanzania signed agreements covering the expansion of kidney treatment services, electricity transmission infrastructure through public-private partnerships and the use of natural gas in industries.
The agreements were signed during the Africa50 Infrastructure Forum and General Shareholders Meeting held in Dar es Salaam and involve Africa50, TAQA Arabia, and the Government of Tanzania through the Ministry of Health, the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), and the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC).
President Samia said African countries need to ensure that infrastructure opportunities translate into visible results for citizens through improved roads, reliable energy supply, efficient ports, railway networks, technology development and employment creation.
She said citizens do not measure development through policies and plans alone, but through tangible outcomes that improve their daily lives.
According to President Samia, infrastructure is a foundation for increasing Africa’s competitiveness, attracting investment, strengthening trade within the continent and building economies that can withstand global challenges.
The President said Tanzania continues to implement the National Development Vision 2050, which aims to create an industrial and inclusive economy driven by innovation, skills development and modern infrastructure.
In the transport sector, President Samia highlighted Tanzania’s continued investments in the Port of Dar es Salaam, the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), roads, bridges and strategic development corridors to strengthen the country’s position as a regional trade gateway.
She said these investments support landlocked countries including Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo by improving access to trade routes and regional markets.
President Samia added that Tanzania’s position within the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) makes the country an important link for regional trade and investment.
She also called on African countries to increase value addition of natural resources rather than continuing to export raw materials.
According to President Samia, developing local processing industries would increase employment opportunities, strengthen skills development and expand production capacity within African economies.
On energy development, President Samia highlighted the role of natural gas in improving energy security, supporting industrial development and contributing to economic growth in Tanzania and across Africa.
Speaking at the forum, Kenya’s Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki said Kenya’s experience demonstrates the importance of political leadership, consistent policies and long-term planning in implementing large infrastructure projects.
He called on African countries to strengthen domestic technical capacity, develop innovative financing mechanisms and ensure that citizens participate in and benefit from infrastructure investments.
Africa50 Chairman and President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Sidi Ould Tah said Africa50 will continue supporting African countries in transforming infrastructure opportunities into projects that can be financed and implemented.
He said Africa50’s second decade should focus on increasing the speed of project implementation, mobilising capital and strengthening partnerships between governments, financial institutions and the private sector.
The Africa50 Infrastructure Forum also included discussions among ministers from Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria and Senegal on energy, industrialisation, natural gas utilisation, value addition of resources and regional infrastructure development.
During the discussions, participants noted that more than 600 million Africans remain without access to electricity.
The meeting also highlighted Tanzania’s progress in expanding access to clean cooking energy, which increased from 6% in 2021 to 28% in 2026.
Africa50 is an African infrastructure investment platform established to develop, finance and invest in infrastructure projects across the continent.
The institution works with African governments, development finance institutions and private sector investors to transform infrastructure opportunities into bankable projects and mobilise capital for sectors including energy, transport and digital infrastructure.
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