Tanzania reaps fortune from AfCFTA membership  

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST: PRIME Minister, Kassim Majaliwa said Tanzania has benefited much from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as it facilitates the free flow of goods and services across the continent. Speaking during the Africa CEOs Forum in Abidjan today, May 13, the PM said through AfCFTA Tanzania has managed to boost the …

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST: PRIME Minister, Kassim Majaliwa said Tanzania has benefited much from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as it facilitates the free flow of goods and services across the continent.

Speaking during the Africa CEOs Forum in Abidjan today, May 13, the PM said through AfCFTA Tanzania has managed to boost the intra-African trade, and enhance Africa’s global trading position.

 AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area, bringing together 55 African Union (AU) member states and 8 Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to create a single market.

PM Majaliwa noted that Tanzania has leveraged this opportunity to strengthen its infrastructure, particularly in the railway and port sectors, due to its strategic geographic position.

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Adding, he said ports of Tanga, Dar es Salaam, and Mtwara have been upgraded, and plans are underway to begin construction of a new port in Bagamoyo.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Cosato Chumi, stated that the forum has given Tanzania a platform to showcase President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to advancing economic diplomacy. He mentioned that the success of major events such as the Energy Summit held in January 2025 serves as a clear example of how Tanzania is positioning itself as a hub for investment.

“We have also received information that Burkina Faso is planning to visit Tanzania to learn about the operations of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, intending to establish a similar facility in their country,” Chumi added.

For her part, Elestine Kakele, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria and representative to Ivory Coast, said Tanzania’s participation in the forum is a strategic opportunity to promote the country’s economic potential and investment prospects. She highlighted sisal as one of the key sectors with great potential for private sector involvement in driving national development.