AGP Executive Report

Ports & Trade: Transit cargo through Dar es Salaam rose 17% to 14.61 million tonnes in 2025/26, led by a 30% jump in DRC-bound shipments and 24% growth to Rwanda. The port handled 21.5% more cargo overall, but stronger roads, rail and border links will be key to sustaining the gains. Digital Finance: Mixx Tanzania has named Louis-Olivier Favot CEO as Angelica Pesha leaves after more than 15 years, a leadership change at a major mobile-money and fintech business. Business Costs: October fuel prices have risen, with Dar es Salaam prices topping Sh4,000 a litre, adding pressure on transport and operating costs. Tax & Investment: Tanzania is pushing technology-led tax administration to raise revenue and reduce compliance costs, while courting Dutch and EU investors in mining, agriculture, logistics and digital technology, with a focus on local value addition. Bilateral Trade: Pakistan’s Senate chairman has urged stronger trade, investment and technology ties with Tanzania, including closer links between ports, business communities and chambers of commerce.

Fuel Costs: EWURA raised October prices in Dar es Salaam to Sh4,057 a litre for petrol and Sh4,086 for diesel, citing higher international prices amid Middle East tensions. Investment Drive: Tanzania used EU roadshows in Finland, Italy and the Netherlands to court investors in mining, agriculture, digital innovation, renewable energy and logistics, with a follow-up forum planned for Dar es Salaam in 2027. Digital Finance: Mixx Tanzania named Louis-Olivier Favot CEO as Angelica Pesha ends a 15-year tenure that spanned the company’s evolution from Tigo Pesa into a broader fintech business. Tax and Revenue: Vice-President Deogratius Ndejembi called for technology to simplify compliance and cut costs as the government targets Sh36.99 trillion in tax revenue for 2026/27. Mining: Barrick secured a 15-year renewal for North Mara’s licences, while the LBMA faces a London court claim over two deaths at the mine in 2019 and denies legal responsibility.

IPU Governance Push: Tanzania’s Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba urged parliamentarians at the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha to strengthen inclusion, trust and opportunity, warning that exclusion can fuel conflict. Parliament Leadership: National Assembly Speaker Mussa Azzan Zungu was elected president of the 153rd IPU Assembly, with expectations to deepen parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation. Capital Markets & Investor Protection: Local investors drove 93.78% of Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange share purchases in Q3 2026, raising calls for stronger investor education and protection as foreign investors sold more. Agribusiness & Tech Transfer: TADB will send 14 farmer entrepreneurs to Japan to learn technologies for farming, storage, processing and value addition. Mining Accountability: A London court trial begins over LBMA’s role in certifying gold from Tanzania’s North Mara mine after miners’ deaths in 2019. Energy & Regional Trade: EAC and China discussed a new framework for strategic regional projects, while Uganda-Tanzania port expansion plans point to more competitive shipping routes via Dar es Salaam. Disability Inclusion: Qatar Charity and Zanzibar’s First Vice President’s Office signed an MoU to support persons with disabilities through humanitarian and development programmes. Tourism & Investment Branding: Shinyanga’s Miss Shinyanga 2026 pageant will spotlight tourism and investment opportunities ahead of regional and national stages.

Digital Payments: Airtel Money plans to launch a Mastercard virtual card in Kenya to let customers pay for international e-commerce directly from their mobile wallets, setting up fresh competition with Safaricom’s M-Pesa GlobalPay. Trade & Investment Diplomacy: Tanzania and Vietnam discussed expanding trade, joint production and investment links in Dar es Salaam, with TISEZA highlighting opportunities across agriculture, minerals, energy, industry and logistics. Labour Mobility: Qatar, the AU and Tanzania co-chaired the Second Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility in Dar es Salaam, focusing on practical cooperation that protects workers’ rights across Africa and GCC+ countries. Mining & Fiscal Impact: Barrick renewed North Mara gold mine licences for 15 years, saying it has injected about $5.3bn into Tanzania since 2019 under a 16% government stake and 50:50 benefit-sharing. Climate Finance: Tanzania faces a $12bn+ climate financing gap, with the World Bank warning climate inaction could cut growth and push millions into poverty. Capital Markets: Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange is moving closer to angel investors to help startups progress from early funding toward larger growth and potential listings. Sports & Business: Kariobangi Sharks face a must-win return leg vs Mombasa United to stay in the top flight, with promotion-relegation stakes tied to aggregate goals.

Labour Mobility Talks: Tanzania hosted the Second Doha Dialogue on Labour Mobility (Oct 5-6) in Dar es Salaam, bringing together GCC, African and Arab officials to turn commitments into practical, measurable cooperation across the labour-mobility cycle. Banking & Trade Payments: Stanbic Bank Tanzania launched Customer Service Week with a push to let businesses make direct payments to China in yuan, aiming to cut currency conversion costs for importers. Court Ruling on Power Equipment: Tanzania’s High Court ordered the IGP and Tanesco to jointly pay Future Century Limited Sh646m over missing electrical equipment seized in 2006. Energy Investment Focus: TotalEnergies highlighted major Africa bets across LNG, oil and renewables, while also stressing youth skills and entrepreneurship as part of the energy transition. Security Cooperation: Tanzania and Mozambique opened a joint defence and security commission meeting in Dar es Salaam, with immigration and border protection on the agenda. Digital Economy Regulation: ICT regulators met in Nairobi to strengthen rules for AI, platforms, cybersecurity and data governance as digital growth outpaces policy. Business Climate & Jobs: The World Bank said Tanzania’s growth outlook is solid, but the priority is creating higher-quality, better-paying jobs to reduce poverty. Regional Investment Ranking: Bloomberg reported Nigeria climbed to 8th most investable African economy, overtaking Tanzania among others.

Tanzania Financial Literacy Push: Tanzania has unveiled guidelines to integrate personal financial education into university, technical and vocational curricula, with the Ministry of Education and the Bank of Tanzania aiming to help graduates manage income and spending better. Mining & Local Jobs: The government renewed Barrick’s special mining licences for North Mara for 15 more years, saying the mine supports long-term investment, with Tanzanians making up 96% of the workforce and $5.3bn injected since 2019. Small-Scale Mining Levies Review: Minerals Minister Anthony Mavunde ordered a technical review of levies and statutory charges affecting small-scale miners, focusing on how payments are treated as minerals move from extraction to processing and sale. Capital Markets Watch: Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange share value fell by about Sh439bn last week as trading volumes eased and investors stayed cautious. Rural Finance & Agriculture: CRDB Bank Foundation is seeking blended finance to reach rural businesses and farmers, working with IFAD, the World Bank and others on guarantees and catalytic capital. Energy & Investment Pipeline: Tanzania is pitching five strategic projects for international partners, including Bagamoyo SEZ/port development, mining beneficiation, tourism/agriculture-fertiliser and nuclear energy. Regional Context: Nigeria climbed four places to rank eighth in Bloomberg’s investability index, while Africa is forecast to install a record 17GW of solar in 2026.

Bagamoyo Industrial Push: Tanzania is accelerating Bagamoyo Eco-maritime City (BEMC) as a manufacturing hub, with 25 projects worth about $3bn and plans that could create up to 100,000 jobs across textiles, steel, agro-processing, pharma and more. Blue Economy & Ocean Protection: Tanzania will host COP12 to the Nairobi Convention in Dar es Salaam (Oct 6–9), aiming to strengthen regional action on marine pollution, illegal fishing and coastal ecosystem degradation. Legal & Fiscal Protection: Tanzania’s Office of the Solicitor General says it saved the government $430.4m (about 1.14tri/-) by winning or settling arbitration cases between July 2025 and June 2026, alongside major savings in civil cases. Power Access & Finance: TANESCO and CRDB Bank launched an electricity connection financing scheme, with officials citing over a million households connected and rising demand in Dar es Salaam and Pwani. Fuel Supply Coordination: The energy ministry is moving to work more closely with TAOMAC to ensure adequate, timely fuel supplies nationwide. Agriculture Payments & Irrigation: Tobacco buyers have been ordered to clear outstanding farmer payments by Oct 30, while Mpanda’s Mwamkulu irrigation project received 33.9bn/- to expand irrigated farming to 3,500 hectares. Regional Trade Momentum: Dar es Salaam transit cargo rose 17% to 14.61m tonnes in 2025/26, driven by DRC, Zambia and Rwanda—boosting logistics and corridor businesses. Mining Sector Reforms: Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba urged tighter mining management aligned with Vision 2050, including expanded mineral exploration funding.

Fuel Security & Industry Coordination: Tanzania will work more closely with TAOMAC to keep fuel supplies adequate and timely nationwide, with the Energy Ministry pushing better coordination across importers and distributors. Power Expansion: TANESCO and CRDB Bank launched an electricity connection financing scheme, with officials saying over a million households are now connected and Dar es Salaam/Pwani drive demand. Tobacco Cashflow Pressure: Tanzania Tobacco Board and stakeholders were told buyers must clear outstanding farmer payments by Oct 30, alongside moves to tackle input costs and outdated drying tech. Irrigation Push in Mpanda: Government invested 33.9bn/- to expand irrigation to 3,500 hectares, aiming to boost rice output and incomes, with key works already well underway. Mining Reforms: PM Mwigulu Nchemba ordered tighter mining-sector management aligned with Vision 2050, including raising mineral exploration funding. Regional Oil Refining Politics: Uganda’s Museveni backed Dangote’s Kenya refinery but said Uganda won’t commit money until the status of Tanzania’s Tanga refinery is clarified. EAC Funding Strain: EAC speakers in Arusha urged governments to clear arrears as the bloc faces a $125m debt gap affecting operations. Bagamoyo Industrial Takeoff: Six Bagamoyo eco-maritime city projects have entered construction, with the government projecting thousands of jobs and major investment.

ICT Startup Funding: Tanzania has launched a Sh5bn financing push for young ICT companies via the ICT Startup Capital Empowerment Programme, with loans from Sh1m to Sh100m through Azania Bank, targeting youth-led digital solutions across fintech, agri, logistics, e-commerce and more. Mining Local Content: Geita’s mining forum heard calls for Tanzanian firms to pool capital and capability as 14 major mining projects move through development, aiming to expand the local procurement market and deepen skills and technology transfer. Tax Collection Boost: TRA and ZRA both beat Q1 2026/27 revenue targets, with TRA at 107.49% and ZRA at 100.63%, crediting wider taxpayer coverage and improved administration. Road Safety & Drivers’ Strike: Tanzania’s drivers resumed work after a slowdown tied to the suspended 15-point driving-licence system, but the bigger issue—trust in enforcement and fairness—remains unresolved. Regional Finance Pressure: EAC speakers in Arusha agreed to push governments to clear unpaid contributions as the bloc faces a $125m debt burden. Bagamoyo Industrial Push: Six Bagamoyo eco-maritime city projects have entered construction, with the government projecting over 15,000 jobs and up to Sh4tn in investment. Digital Finance Security: Tanzania’s financial sector is urged to strengthen cybersecurity as AI and digital services expand, raising new risks for banks and insurers. Health as an Economic Sector: At the Alamein Africa Forum, President Mahama urged Africa to treat health sovereignty as an investable, high-growth economic priority.

Tanzania ICT Finance: Dodoma set aside Sh5bn for a new ICT Startup Capital Empowerment Programme, offering loans from Sh1m–Sh100m via Azania Bank to youth-led digital firms. Cybersecurity Focus: Tanzania’s financial sector is pushing stronger cyber defences as AI adoption accelerates, with regulators and banks urged to collaborate on digital resilience. Tax Collection Update: TRA and ZRA both beat Q1 2026/27 targets, with TRA at 107.49% and ZRA at 100.63%, citing wider taxpayer coverage and tech use. Local Business & Jobs: Youth unemployment remains a challenge as employers demand practical and digital skills, shifting the conversation from job quantity to job quality. Cost of Living: Tanzania’s inflation edged up to 4.3% (Aug), but transport and energy costs are hitting households harder. Mining Local Content: Geita urged Tanzanian firms to pool capital and capability as 14 mining projects move through development, expanding procurement opportunities. Regional Diplomacy: Tanzania hosts the IPU Assembly in Arusha (Oct 5–9), with Speaker Zungu urging businesses to use it for deals and market links.

Mobile Money Shake-up: Airtel Money says it’s ready for a price war with Safaricom’s M-Pesa in Kenya, pointing to lower fees, incentives, interoperability and a bigger agent push as it targets further market share gains. Capital Markets: Airtel Money’s IPO plans in London include raising about $700m and valuing the unit at roughly $7bn, with the company highlighting huge transaction volumes across Africa including Tanzania. Household Pressure: Tanzania’s inflation ticked up to 4.3% in August, with transport and energy costs rising faster than the headline rate—renewing cost-of-living strain. Electricity Access: TANESCO and CRDB launched a scheme to cut connection costs—covering about 500,000 rural/peri-urban customers’ fees annually and enabling urban instalments. Trade & Logistics: Dar es Salaam transit cargo rose 17% to 14.61m tonnes in 2025/26, with Rwanda and DRC among the biggest gainers. Tourism Rules: Tanzania introduced mandatory local travel insurance from Oct. 1, with mainland and Zanzibar insurers handling different entry routes. Business & Investment: Tanzania invited Italian investors to move beyond selling into production, processing and value addition for regional and global markets. Governance & Jobs: Experts urged Tanzania to focus on quality, productive formal jobs, while financial literacy gaps still leave many households struggling.

Alamein Africa Forum: Heads of state and business leaders are gathering in Egypt’s New Alamein City for the inaugural Alamein Africa Forum, aiming to link political clout with private investment on trade, infrastructure, critical minerals, digital innovation and health. Zanzibar Revenue: Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) beat its Q1 2026/27 target, collecting Sh353.31bn (100.63% of plan) as trade and electronic systems use rose. Tourism & Travel Rules: Tanzania ended the “referral visa” requirement for Nigerians from Sept 25, and from Oct 1 introduced mandatory local travel insurance for visitors (NIC for mainland, ZIC for Zanzibar), with entry denied without it. Mobile Money Competition: Airtel Money signals a price-war approach in Kenya, betting on lower fees and incentives to chip away at M-Pesa’s dominance. Digital Growth: A Tanzanian banker won recognition for digital tools improving transaction reconciliation, while rising internet demand is creating new Wi‑Fi sharing and connectivity businesses. Conservation & Community: Mwambao highlights the push for community-led coastal conservation, and a solar electrified cooking system is being funded for a Tanzanian school to cut harmful emissions. Sports & Talent: Vodacom Coastal Classic draws 169 cyclists across borders, and Tanzania’s Olympic Committee is seeking practical pathways with the IOC for athlete development.

East African Energy & Industry: Tanzania and Uganda moved a refined-oil infrastructure project forward in Tanga after a joint committee handed the Chongoleani site to Worley Consulting for feasibility work, aiming to cut reliance on imported refined products and strengthen regional fuel supply. Regional Refining Politics: Kenya’s President William Ruto played down “rivalry” over East African refineries, saying demand can support multiple plants and Kenya could even buy competitively priced fuel from Uganda. Big Investment Spotlight: Aliko Dangote’s US$16bn Lamu refinery broke ground with regional leaders in attendance, targeting 700,000 barrels/day and an integrated industrial complex. Tourism & Travel Rules: Tanzania introduced mandatory travel insurance for inbound visitors from Oct 1, with specific coverage via National Insurance Corporation (mainland) or Zanzibar Insurance Corporation. Carbon Markets: Carbon Streaming agreed to receive US$6m tied to termination/transfer of Tanzanian cookstove carbon credits, including proceeds from CORSIA-tagged credits. Business Climate & Finance: Uhuru Torch team said private-sector investment is key to Tanzania’s Vision 2050, urging a more investor-friendly environment. Human Capital & Policy: Stakeholders agreed a multi-sector roadmap to strengthen Tanzania’s response to child marriage, focusing on law harmonisation, education, and implementation. Trade & Logistics: Malawi unveiled plans for a new north-bound railway to connect to the Tanzania-Zambia network to slash transport costs.

Dangote Refinery Push: Aliko Dangote joined President William Ruto and other African leaders to break ground on a $16bn, 700,000-bpd refinery in Lamu, framed as a major step toward East Africa’s fuel security and reduced import dependence. Regional Energy & Trade Ripple Effects: Ruto said Lamu was chosen after technical studies and shifting regional crude logistics plans, while the project’s wider industrial complex includes power generation and petrochemical plans. Tanzania Policy Watch: Tanzania is set to require foreign visitors entering the mainland to buy mandatory inbound travel insurance from Oct 1, priced at $44 via the National Insurance Corporation, aligning with Zanzibar’s existing rule. Courtroom Business Climate: Tanzania’s Court of Appeal upheld TRA’s position on depreciation for exploration expenditure in a petroleum case, a reminder that tax treatment hinges on strict legal conditions. Mining & Nuclear Momentum: Tanzania’s Mkuju River uranium project is gaining renewed traction, with ambitions to lift the country into top-tier uranium production as nuclear energy plans advance. Business & Finance: Absa’s East Africa chief highlighted mobile money growth in Tanzania and investment momentum across the region, linking banking innovation to economic expansion. Environment & Food Security Risk: A UN official warned that disruptions to fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz could hit countries including Tanzania, raising prices and reducing fertilizer use.

Lamu Refinery Push: Kenya has officially started construction of Dangote’s $16bn, 700,000-bpd East Africa refinery in Lamu, with President William Ruto saying it will boost energy security, industrialisation and regional integration, while the project is also set to co-generate up to 1,000MW of power. Courtroom Roadblock: Work faces disruption risk after 133 residents petitioned over land rights, with an interim order requiring a “status quo” on the affected land until a hearing on Oct 14; the African Energy Chamber says the case is meant to derail a strategic fuel-security project. Financing Model: Kenya plans to use a National Infrastructure Fund and state assets to take a stake, with Dangote also signalling local share opportunities via the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Regional Politics: Uganda’s Museveni backed the refinery but said Uganda will not invest in it yet, pending clarity on earlier plans for a Tanga refinery. Tanzania Angle: Tanzania and Qatar signed a double-taxation deal in Doha to cut tax uncertainty and support cross-border investment, while TISEZA promoted mining, manufacturing, energy and digital projects to European investors in Finland. Business & Jobs: Dangote says delivery will take 40 months, with major engineering and tech contracts already lined up, including Honeywell’s $300m role.

SME Credit & Data Sharing: Mastercard argues Tanzania’s banks want to lend to small businesses, but lack “proof” because transactions are fragmented across banks, mobile operators and payments networks—calling for collaboration to make businesses visible to finance. Cross-Border Tax Certainty: Tanzania and Qatar signed a double taxation agreement in Doha to cut double-tax risk, improve information-sharing between tax authorities, and encourage investment. Public Sector Leadership: Tanzania’s top civil service leadership urged public institutions to promote young professionals into leadership roles based on performance and tech capability, not just seniority. Legal Battle Reopened: Court of Appeal orders 10 former Ministry of Finance employees to seek review after overturning a High Court rejection, restarting a dispute dating back to 1996. Trade Finance Boost: AfDB and Exim Bank Tanzania launched a $10m trade finance guarantee facility to expand confirming banks’ capacity and widen access for SMEs in imports and exports. Blue Economy in Zanzibar: Zanzibar launched a collaborative management process for the South Unguja seascape to protect marine resources and support the blue economy. El Niño Preparedness: NEMC directed Morogoro residents to move from flood-prone low-lying areas, clear drainage channels and reduce plastic pollution ahead of expected rains. Regional Energy Push: East Africa’s $16bn Dangote refinery in Lamu broke ground with leaders backing industrial self-sufficiency; Uganda’s Museveni supported the project but said Uganda will hold off investing until the earlier Tanga plan is clarified. Tourism Promotion: Tanzania Tourist Board hosted 13 Indian tourism agents on a familiarisation trip to deepen B2B links and attract more visitors. Transport Disruption: A bus drivers strike hit Mbeya businesses and long-distance travel, with services resuming after government engagement.