Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania,
has urged African governments to accelerate infrastructure delivery and transform the
continent’s economic potential into tangible benefits for its people.
Opening the Infra for Africa Forum and the Africa50 General Shareholders’ Meeting today in Dar es Salaam, President Samia said people measure progress through improved services and opportunities, rather than policies and development plans.
She cited reliable electricity, efficient ports, modern roads and railways, digital
connectivity, and decent jobs as the clearest indicators of meaningful development.
The President said stronger infrastructure would enhance Africa’s competitiveness, attract investment, expand intra-African trade, and strengthen economies against global shocks.
President Samia said Tanzania is implementing its National Development Vision 2050, which aims to build an inclusive, industrialised economy driven by innovation, skills development, and modern infrastructure.
She added that the Government is upgrading the Port of Dar es Salaam, the Standard Gauge Railway, roads, bridges, and strategic transport corridors to strengthen Tanzania’s position as a regional trade and logistics gateway.
The President noted that these investments also serve neighbouring land-linked countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
President Samia said Tanzania’s membership in both the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) positions the country as a natural bridge for regional trade and investment.
She further urged African countries to process more of their natural resources locally, rather than exporting raw materials, in order to create jobs, build skills, and expand industrial capacity.
The President also highlighted natural gas as a strategic resource for strengthening energy
security, driving industrial growth, and supporting broader economic transformation in Tanzania and across Africa.
Speaking at the event, Kenyan Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki said major infrastructure projects require sustained political leadership, predictable policies, and long-term planning.
He called for stronger domestic technical capacity, innovative financing, and greater
community participation to ensure development projects deliver broad and lasting benefits.
Africa50 Chairman and President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, said the institution would support governments in converting infrastructure
opportunities into bankable, investment-ready projects.
He said Africa50’s second decade should focus on faster project execution, deeper capital mobilisation, and stronger partnerships among governments, development finance institutions, and private investors.
Ministers from Tanzania, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Senegal also discussed energy and industrialisation, with particular emphasis on natural gas, value addition, and cross-border infrastructure.
The forum heard that more than 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity.
Meanwhile, Tanzania has increased access to clean cooking solutions from 6 per cent in
2021 to 28 per cent in 2026.
During the forum, Tanzania also signed agreements covering expanded renal care, public-private investment in electricity transmission, and increased industrial utilisation of natural gas.
The agreements involve Africa50, Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, the Tanzania Electric
Supply Company (TANESCO), the Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation
(TPDC), and TAQA Arabia.
President Samia commended Africa50 for its continued support of the continent’s
infrastructure agenda and urged all parties to move swiftly from signed agreements to
projects that deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives.
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