DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: Tanzania is leveraging dialogue as a key strategy to mobilise private sector investment and partnerships essential for implementing the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP IV), which will guide the country’s economic transformation from 2026/27 to 2030/31.
The Public–Private Partnership Centre (PPPC) under the Ministry of Finance has launched a national platform, PPPC CentreStage, to bring together policymakers, investors, academics, and development partners to explore how Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) can accelerate the ambitious development agenda.
The inaugural session of the dialogue series is being held today at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM). PPPC Executive Director David Kafulila said the platform is designed to build consensus among stakeholders on the scale of investment and coordination required to deliver FYDP IV.
“A modern economy cannot rely only on assessments after projects are completed. Continuous dialogue ensures that implementation remains aligned with national development objectives,” Mr Kafulila said.
According to him, PPPs should function as an ecosystem that integrates government institutions, private investors, businesses, development partners, and the public.
“Alignment in thinking is as important as alignment in execution. Platforms like CentreStage are critical if we are to move at the speed required by our national development goals,” he said.
The dialogue comes as Tanzania prepares to finance FYDP IV, which requires an estimated 487 trillion Tanzanian shillings (about 190 billion U.S. dollars). Private capital is expected to cover roughly 70 per cent of the total, equivalent to 340 trillion shillings, with PPPs potentially contributing approximately 170 trillion shillings over five years.
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Colonel (rtd) Joseph Simbakalia, a veteran PPP negotiator, stressed that procurement reforms are needed to ensure projects proceed efficiently. “Investing in strong contract negotiation capacity is critical, and economic patriotism must guide how we structure PPP agreements,” he said.
Former Controller and Auditor General Ludovic Utoah highlighted the importance of strengthening legal and regulatory frameworks, improving financial reporting, and enhancing auditing systems to boost transparency and accountability in PPP projects.
Senior economist Amran Bhuzohera noted that economic diplomacy and geostrategic planning are essential to attract stable investment flows and manage geo-economic risks that could slow PPP momentum.
Since its establishment, the PPPC has mobilised investments worth about 6.9 trillion shillings, averaging 3.3 trillion annually. The centre has also expanded technical expertise, increasing the number of internationally recognised Certified PPP Professionals (CP3P) in Tanzania from fewer than two to more than 40. Over 400 potential PPP projects have been identified nationwide, with training programmes conducted across local government authorities.
“With continued dialogue, coordination, and capacity building, Tanzania aims to unlock the full potential of FYDP IV and drive sustainable economic transformation,” Mr Kafulila said.
