How Did Tanzania’s 46.72% Capital Boom in 2023–2024 Ignite 2025
June 3, 2025
The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Quarterly Bulletin for January to March 2025 (Q3 2024/25) reports a significant 46.72% increase in capital inflow compared to the same period in the previous year (Q3 2023/24), with total capital attracted reaching USD 2,164.7 million compared to USD 1,475.43 million in Q3 2023/24. This growth, coupled with the registration […]
The Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) Quarterly Bulletin for January to March 2025 (Q3 2024/25) reports a significant 46.72% increase in capital inflow compared to the same period in the previous year (Q3 2023/24), with total capital attracted reaching USD 2,164.7 million compared to USD 1,475.43 million in Q3 2023/24. This growth, coupled with the registration of 199 investment projects expected to generate 24,444 jobs, underscores Tanzania’s robust economic development trajectory. Below, TICGL analyze the sectors driving this capital increase, supported by figures from the document, and explain how they contribute to economic diversification, a critical factor in reducing reliance on traditional sectors and fostering sustainable growth.
Sectors Driving the Capital Inflow Growth
The bulletin highlights notable increases in capital, project numbers, and job opportunities in specific sectors during Q3 2024/25, The key sectors driving the 46.72% capital increase include:
Agriculture:
Capital Increase: The bulletin notes a “notable increase” in capital in the agriculture sector, though exact capital figures per sector are not provided in the text. However, the sector’s prominence is evident from the number of projects and jobs.
Projects and Jobs: Agriculture saw an increase in registered projects and job opportunities. For context, the document highlights specific agricultural projects like the Bugwema Irrigation Scheme (USD 14.89 million, 2,500+ household jobs) and the Usariver Agricultural SEZ, indicating significant investment interest.
Figure Reference: Figure 4.2 shows a rise in the number of agricultural projects and jobs compared to Q3 2023/24, suggesting a substantial contribution to the capital inflow.
Energy:
Capital Increase: The energy sector recorded a significant increase in capital, driven by projects like solar and clean energy initiatives (e.g., inbound missions from China and India focusing on energy).
Projects and Jobs: The sector also saw an increase in registered projects and job creation. Figure likely reflects this growth in project numbers.
Example Projects: Missions from Japan (energy, February 13, 2025) and India (clean energy, March 28, 2025) indicate targeted investments.
Economic Infrastructure:
Capital Increase: This sector experienced a notable rise in capital, likely driven by projects like the East Africa Commercial & Logistics Center (EACLC) with an investment exceeding USD 200 million and infrastructure-focused missions (e.g., UAE’s logistics hub interest).
Projects and Jobs: The bulletin notes an increase in project numbers and jobs, with Figure 4.2 illustrating this trend.
Significance: The EACLC, with its 75,000 square meters and four functional areas (commercial trading, logistics, business district, leisure), is a flagship project enhancing Tanzania’s role as a regional trade hub.
Services:
Capital Increase: The services sector, encompassing tourism, real estate, and other services, also contributed to the capital surge. Inbound missions from Japan (real estate, February 2025) and Poland (tourism, January 16, 2025) highlight this focus.
Projects and Jobs: Figure shows growth in service-related projects and jobs, reflecting investments in tourism and hospitality.
Manufacturing:
Capital Increase: Despite a slight decrease in the number of projects, the manufacturing sector recorded a 45.87% increase in capital, making it a significant driver of the overall 46.72% capital growth.
Projects and Jobs: Figure indicates a slight dip in project numbers but a substantial increase in capital, suggesting larger-scale investments. Examples include Chinese investments in motorcycle assembly, tire manufacturing, and steel production.
Specific Investments: The bulletin lists 19 inbound missions from China alone, many focusing on manufacturing sectors like tea processing, building materials, and stainless steel.
Quantitative Breakdown
Total Capital (Q3 2024/25): USD 2,164.7 million.
Previous Year (Q3 2023/24): USD 1,475.43 million.
Increase in Capital: USD 2,164.7M – USD 1,475.43M = USD 689.27 million, equivalent to a 46.72% increase.
Expansion Projects: 9 projects with USD 100.09 million in capital and 1,542 jobs.
Sectoral Contribution:
Agriculture, Energy, Economic Infrastructure, and Services: Increased in projects, jobs, and capital.
Manufacturing: 45.87% capital increase, despite fewer projects.
Contribution to Economic Diversification
Economic diversification reduces Tanzania’s reliance on traditional sectors like agriculture and mining, fostering resilience and sustainable growth. The sectors driving the capital inflow contribute to diversification as follows:
Agriculture:
Diversification Impact: Investments like the Bugwema Irrigation Scheme (USD 14.89 million) and the Usariver Agricultural SEZ modernize agriculture, shifting from subsistence to commercial farming. The Usariver project focuses on horticulture for export, enhancing foreign exchange earnings.
Economic Benefits: These projects create over 2,500 household jobs (Bugwema) and boost food security, reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture. The allocation of 30,000 hectares in Mkulazi for the “Mkulazi Agricultural City” (USD 570 million) supports large-scale agribusiness, diversifying agricultural output.
Figure Impact: The increase in agricultural projects supports value-added activities like processing, reducing reliance on raw commodity exports.
Energy:
Diversification Impact: Investments in solar and clean energy (e.g., Chinese solar project) reduce dependence on traditional energy sources like hydropower, enhancing energy security.
Economic Benefits: Energy projects support industrial growth by ensuring reliable power for manufacturing and infrastructure projects like the EACLC. This enables Tanzania to attract more industries, diversifying from agriculture-based revenue.
Figure Impact: The rise in energy sector capital reflects investments in renewable energy, aligning with global sustainability trends.
Economic Infrastructure:
Diversification Impact: The EACLC (USD 200 million+) integrates wholesale, logistics, warehousing, and e-commerce, positioning Tanzania as a regional trade hub. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Morogoro enhances trade connectivity, opening markets for diverse sectors like horticulture and manufacturing.
Economic Benefits: The EACLC is expected to create jobs and boost trade across East Africa, while the SGR supports faster transport of perishable goods, diversifying market access. These projects reduce reliance on traditional trade routes and ports.
Figure Impact: Figure shows 73 projects in Dar es Salaam, where EACLC is located, indicating infrastructure’s role in capital attraction.
Services:
Diversification Impact: Investments in tourism and real estate (e.g., Japanese and Polish missions) diversify Tanzania’s economy by capitalizing on its tourism potential and urban development needs.
Economic Benefits: Tourism projects create jobs and foreign exchange, while real estate investments (supported by the 2023 Land Policy) stimulate construction and housing markets, broadening economic activity.
Figure Impact: Figure shows increased service sector projects, reflecting growth in non-traditional sectors.
Manufacturing:
Diversification Impact: The 45.87% capital increase in manufacturing supports industrial growth in areas like tea processing, motorcycle assembly, and steel production. This shifts Tanzania from raw material exports to value-added manufacturing.
Economic Benefits: Manufacturing projects create high-skill jobs (e.g., 1,542 jobs from expansion projects) and increase export revenues. The Kibaha Textile SEZ (USD 78.85 million, 38,400 jobs) exemplifies large-scale industrial diversification.
Figure Impact: Figure highlights manufacturing’s capital growth, underscoring its role in economic transformation.
Broader Economic Development Impact
Job Creation: The 24,444 jobs across these sectors reduce unemployment and increase household incomes, boosting domestic consumption and tax revenues.
FDI and Domestic Investment: The 62.5% increase in joint ventures (39 projects) indicates growing local participation, fostering inclusive growth. Figure shows 94 foreign-owned and 66 locally owned projects, balancing FDI and domestic investment.
Regional Distribution: Figure shows Dar es Salaam (73 projects), Pwani (48), and Arusha (16), ensuring economic activity spreads beyond urban centers, promoting balanced development.
Policy Support: The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority Act and the 2023 Land Policy create a conducive environment, encouraging diverse investments. The EACLC’s alignment with the Belt & Road Initiative enhances global trade linkages.
Conclusion
The 46.72% increase in capital inflow to USD 2,164.7 million in Q3 2024/25 was driven by agriculture, energy, economic infrastructure, services, and manufacturing, as evidenced by Figure and specific project data. These sectors contribute to economic diversification by modernizing agriculture, enhancing energy security, improving trade infrastructure, expanding service industries, and boosting manufacturing. Projects like the EACLC (USD 200 million+), Kibaha Textile SEZ (USD 78.85 million), and Bugwema Irrigation Scheme (USD 14.89 million) exemplify this shift, creating jobs, increasing exports, and reducing reliance on traditional sectors. These investments, supported by reforms like TISEZA and the 2023 Land Policy, position Tanzania as a diversified, resilient economy and a leading investment destination in Africa.
This table will provide a clear, concise overview of the figures that illustrate Tanzania’s economic development during Q3 2024/25, as requested, with an emphasis on the 46.72% capital inflow increase and other key metrics.
Metric
Value
Description
Total Capital Inflow (Q3 2024/25)
USD 2,164.7 million
Total capital attracted from 199 investment projects, a 46.72% increase from USD 1,475.43 million in Q3 2023/24.
Capital Inflow Increase
46.72% (USD 689.27 million)
Percentage and absolute increase in capital compared to Q3 2023/24, driven by key sectors.
Total Projects Registered
199
Includes 94 foreign-owned, 66 locally owned, and 39 joint venture projects, reflecting diverse investment sources.
Joint Venture Projects Increase
62.5% (39 projects)
Increase from 24 joint ventures in Q3 2023/24, indicating growing local-foreign partnerships.
Total Jobs Expected
24,444
Jobs projected from 199 registered projects, supporting economic growth through employment.
Expansion Projects
9 projects, USD 100.09 million, 1,542 jobs
Expansion and rehabilitation projects, reflecting reinvestment and policy impact (Investment Act 2022).
Manufacturing Capital Increase
45.87%
Significant capital growth despite fewer projects, driven by investments in tea processing, steel, and more.
EACLC Investment
USD 200 million+
East Africa Commercial & Logistics Center, a flagship project enhancing trade and logistics.
Kibaha Textile SEZ
USD 78.85 million, 38,400 jobs
Textile Special Economic Zone to boost industrial output and employment.
Bugwema Irrigation Scheme
USD 14.89 million, 2,500+ household jobs
Agricultural project to enhance food security and rural livelihoods.
Mkulazi Agricultural City
USD 570 million
Allocation of 30,000 hectares for large-scale agribusiness, diversifying agriculture.
Usariver Agricultural SEZ
209 acres, cost TBD
Horticulture-focused SEZ to boost export earnings and economic diversification.
Domestic Projects (2024)
321 projects
74% increase from 182 in 2023, driven by National Investment Campaign and lower threshold (USD 50,000).
Total Jobs (2024)
212,293
Record-breaking job creation from 901 projects registered in 2024, highest since TIC’s establishment.
Regional Project Distribution
Dar es Salaam: 73 projects, Pwani: 48, Arusha: 16
Investment distribution fostering balanced regional economic development.
Explanation of the Table
This table captures key figures from the bulletin that highlight Tanzania’s economic development in Q3 2024/25, focusing on investment, job creation, and sectoral contributions. Figures contribute to economic development:
Capital Inflow (USD 2,164.7 million, 46.72% increase): Reflects strong investor confidence, driven by agriculture, energy, infrastructure, services, and manufacturing. This supports economic growth by increasing available capital for development projects.
Projects and Jobs (199 projects, 24,444 jobs): The high number of projects and jobs boosts employment, household incomes, and tax revenues, fostering inclusive growth.
Sectoral Growth: Manufacturing’s 45.87% capital increase and projects like the EACLC (USD 200 million+) and Kibaha Textile SEZ (USD 78.85 million) drive industrial and trade diversification.
Agricultural Investments: Projects like Bugwema (USD 14.89 million) and Mkulazi (USD 570 million) modernize agriculture, enhancing food security and exports.
Regional Balance: The distribution of projects across Dar es Salaam, Pwani, and Arusha promotes equitable economic development.
2024 Achievements: The record 901 projects and 212,293 jobs highlight a landmark year, driven by reforms like the Investment Act 2022 and the National Investment Campaign.