Tanzania achieved exceptional performance in 2025 with the registration of nearly $11 billion in investments, a record high since the registration system was established in 1996.

A Rapid Growth in Projects

The Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEA) approved 915 investment projects in 2025, compared to 901 in 2024 and only 252 in 2021. This surge—more than tripling in four years—reflects the country’s growing attractiveness to both foreign and domestic capital.

The total value of approved investments reached $10.95 billion, up $1.65 billion from $9.3 billion in 2024. This trend signals a shift towards more ambitious and capital-intensive projects, indicating economic maturity.

Key Sectors Identified

Manufacturing dominates with 377 projects totaling USD 3.1 billion in 2024, including cement, steel, textiles, beverages, and agri-food processing. The mining sector follows closely, driven by graphite, lithium, nickel, and rare earth elements, positioning Tanzania among Africa’s leading extractive investment hubs.

Agriculture, tourism, energy, and infrastructure complete this diverse picture. This sectoral distribution supports GDP growth estimated at 6% in 2025, above the regional average.

Strategic Success Factors

Dar es Salaam owes this momentum to several key drivers: improved governance, infrastructure investments, and its positioning as an East African hub. The country is thus competing with its peers in an uncertain global context.

Macroeconomic stability—inflation at 3.1%, public debt at 47.1% of GDP—and a projected nominal GDP of USD 86 billion reinforce this credibility. The authorities are now targeting USD 15 billion in annual FDI by 2026.

Prospects and Challenges

This boom positions Tanzania as an African investment hotspot, alongside Mauritius and Botswana. However, challenges remain: dependence on raw materials, agricultural productivity, and debt management.

Conclusion

With USD 10.95 billion and 915 projects in 2025, Tanzania confirms its status as a leading destination. This performance opens up promising prospects for 2026, provided that the structural challenges for inclusive and sustainable growth are addressed.