Tanzania woos Dangote for fertiliser, energy investments

The Tanzanian Government has expressed interest in attracting fresh investments from the Dangote Group in fertiliser production, energy and industrial infrastructure as the East African country seeks to accelerate economic development and strengthen its manufacturing capacity.

The Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Investment, Professor Kitila Mkumbo, disclosed this when a Tanzanian delegation visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Mkumbo said the visit was aimed at advancing discussions between the Tanzanian Government and the Dangote Group on expanding the company’s investment footprint in Tanzania.

Mr Mkumbo said the discussions followed an earlier meeting between Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, over possible new investments by the conglomerate.

He noted that Dangote already had a significant presence in Tanzania, where the group operates the country’s largest cement manufacturing plant, with an investment valued at about $800 million.

“We have come here to make a follow-up on what they deliberated with our president in terms of further Dangote investments in Tanzania,” the minister said.

According to Mkumbo, Tanzania is particularly interested in Dangote’s expertise in fertiliser production and refinery operations, which he said could support industrial development, create economic opportunities and strengthen the country’s productive capacity.

The minister said deeper cooperation with the Dangote Group could also contribute to broader industrialisation efforts across Africa.

Minister calls for African industrialisation

Mkumbo called for stronger economic integration among African countries, arguing that the continent must move beyond political cooperation and focus more heavily on industrialisation and intra-African investment.

“Africa now needs economic liberation, and that can only come through industrialisation,” he said.

The minister described Dangote as a leading African industrialist whose investments have expanded beyond Nigeria and contributed to industrial development across the continent.

He said Tanzania was looking forward to working with the group to promote Pan-African industrialisation, increase manufacturing capacity and create stronger economic links between African countries.

Mkumbo said such investments would also support economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly by strengthening local production and reducing dependence on imported goods.

Tanzania eyes fertiliser expertise

The Tanzanian Government’s interest in Dangote’s fertiliser operations reflects the importance of agricultural inputs to the country’s economic development.

Mkumbo said Dangote’s experience in large-scale fertiliser production could provide opportunities for Tanzania to strengthen its agricultural value chain while supporting industrial development.

The minister also linked potential investments in fertiliser and other industries to the broader objective of creating productive capacity within Africa rather than relying heavily on external suppliers.

Refining capacity crucial to Africa’s energy security

The Tanzanian minister also stressed the importance of expanding local refining capacity to strengthen Africa’s energy security, particularly as global oil-market disruptions continue to affect fuel prices.

He pointed to the impact of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz on global energy markets, arguing that increased refining capacity from facilities such as the Dangote refinery could help African countries withstand external shocks.

According to Mkumbo, expanding refining capacity within Africa would reduce the continent’s exposure to international fuel-market disruptions and improve the reliability of energy supplies.

He said access to affordable and reliable energy remained crucial to economic development, adding that increased refining capacity could help reduce energy costs and improve living standards across Africa.

Dangote’s existing footprint in Tanzania

The Tanzanian Government’s latest engagement builds on an existing relationship with the Dangote Group.

The conglomerate already operates a major cement manufacturing facility in Tanzania, representing an investment estimated at about $800 million.

The government is now seeking to deepen that relationship by exploring opportunities in fertiliser, energy and other industrial sectors.

The visit by the Tanzanian delegation to the Dangote refinery in Lagos was therefore part of continuing discussions on how the group could expand its investment footprint in Tanzania.

The engagement also reflects a wider push by African governments to attract large-scale private-sector investment into manufacturing, energy and industrial infrastructure.

For Tanzania, increased investment by the Dangote Group could support industrialisation, strengthen domestic production and create new opportunities for regional trade.

For Dangote, further expansion into Tanzania would deepen the group’s presence in East Africa and reinforce its broader strategy of investing in key sectors across the African continent.

The discussions are expected to continue as both sides explore opportunities for strategic investment, industrial development, energy security and regional economic integration.