Two weeks after the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, Tanzania has announced plans to propose several priority projects to secure funding from the financial commitments made by China during the summit.
Ambassador Samwel Shelukindo, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, stated that Tanzania will submit projects that have already been evaluated and studied for feasibility. “This will help reduce the time needed to secure funding for their implementation,” he noted at a meeting with Permanent Secretaries from 12 ministries.
This initiative highlights Tanzania’s dedication to utilizing international partnerships to further its development goals and boost economic growth.
The FOCAC summit in Beijing was attended by 51 Heads of State, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan. Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to enhance support for Africa, promising 360 billion yuan (over 138 trillion shillings) in financial aid over three years, to be allocated through credit lines and new investments from Chinese companies.
The Ministry of Finance will provide guidelines for submitting projects. By focusing on ready-to-launch projects, Tanzania aims to streamline the funding process and quickly realize the benefits of the FOCAC agreement.
Additionally, the government plans to identify specific investment projects to promote to Chinese companies, especially state-owned enterprises, in order to attract part of the investment funds designated for African countries.
Dr. Shelukindo also mentioned that Tanzania will target locally produced goods that meet the necessary standards for export to China, enhancing local production and facilitating the registration of companies for these exports.
“The government will engage with China to secure agreements for expanding markets for Tanzanian products, taking advantage of China’s policy of allowing African goods to enter duty-free,” Dr. Shelukindo said.
He added that both the government and private sector will take advantage of training and experience-sharing opportunities offered by China, ensuring many Tanzanians benefit from these programs.
Moreover, Tanzania will collaborate with China on key international issues to gain support and accelerate access to funding from international institutions.
“Tanzania is in a unique position to benefit from FOCAC’s pledges due to its strong and historic ties with China, which views Tanzania as a model for cooperation with African nations,” he stated.
Dr. Tausi Kida, Permanent Secretary for the President’s Office, Planning and Investment, noted that FOCAC 2024 has created significant opportunities for Africa, and Tanzania is poised to take advantage of these in key sectors like industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade, and investment.
FOCAC 2024 has outlined ten areas of cooperation between China and African nations, including training programs, business growth, industrial collaboration, infrastructure development, healthcare, agricultural advancement, cultural exchange, green energy, and defense and security cooperation.
Tanzania’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Khamis Omar, emphasized that FOCAC 2024 offers a unique opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties with China, which will accelerate national development. He urged for the swift submission of proposed projects to ensure timely implementation.
