L-R, Country Manager/ CEO, Dangote Cement Limited Tanzania, Adeyemi Fajobi; Managing Director/ CEO, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; Minister of State President’s Office – Planning and Investment, Hon. Prof. Kitila A. Mkumbo; Group Vice President, Oil & Gas, Dangote Industries Limited; Devakumar Edwin; Minister for Industry and Trade, Hon. Judith S. Kapinga;
By Peace Udugba
The Government of Tanzania has expressed interest in attracting additional investments from Dangote Group in fertiliser production, energy and industrial infrastructure as part of efforts to accelerate the country’s long-term economic development.
Minister of State in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila A. Mkumbo, disclosed this when a Tanzanian delegation visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals in Lagos.
Mkumbo said the visit was part of efforts to follow up on discussions held earlier in the year between Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, on expanding the group’s investment footprint in Tanzania.
He noted that Dangote Group already operates Tanzania’s largest cement manufacturing plant, with an investment estimated at about $800 million, describing the company as an important contributor to the country’s industrial development.
“We have come here to make a follow-up on what they deliberated with our President in terms of further Dangote investments in Tanzania,” Mkumbo said.
According to the minister, Tanzania is particularly interested in Dangote Group’s expertise in fertiliser production and refinery operations, which he said could contribute to strengthening industrial capacity and economic growth in East Africa.
He added that deeper collaboration between Tanzania and Dangote Group would also support economic integration across Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Mkumbo said African countries had maintained strong political relationships over the years but needed to place greater emphasis on economic integration through industrialisation.
“Africa now needs economic liberation, and that can only come through industrialisation,” he said.
The minister described Dangote as one of Africa’s leading industrialists, noting that the group’s investments are increasingly expanding beyond Nigeria and contributing to industrial development across the continent.
He said Tanzania looked forward to further collaboration with Dangote Group as part of efforts to promote Pan-African industrialisation and strengthen regional manufacturing capacity.
Mkumbo also stressed the importance of expanding local refining capacity to improve Africa’s energy security, particularly amid disruptions in global oil markets.
He referred to the impact of tensions around the Strait of Hormuz on international fuel prices, saying increased refining capacity from facilities such as the Dangote Petroleum Refinery could help African economies reduce their exposure to external energy shocks.
According to him, affordable and reliable energy is critical to economic development, while increased refining capacity across Africa could help lower energy costs and improve living standards.
The visit is part of ongoing engagements between the Tanzanian government and Dangote Group aimed at identifying new opportunities for strategic investment, industrial development and regional economic integration.
