By Prosper Makene
Tanzania has taken a bold step toward positioning itself as a leading destination for foreign direct investment in Africa after Hongwang Holding Group signed a three billion US dollar lease to develop a 500-hectare industrial park in Bagamoyo.
The 33-year deal, signed with the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), covers 500 hectares within the Bagamoyo Eco Maritime City (BEMC). The project is expected to anchor Tanzania’s “Vision 2050” economic roadmap and support the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan through exports projected to exceed 19 billion US dollars annually.
Mr. David Zhou, Chief Executive Officer of HWTZ SEZ Limited which is a subsidiary of China’s Hongwang Holding Group, said the company will build comprehensive industrial infrastructure including power plants, water supply systems, roads, housing, and a solar energy storage facility.
The park will be a “plug-and-play” facility designed to allow investors to begin operations quickly.
According to Zhou, the first phase of construction will target local assembly of heavy trucks and industrial machinery, with operations set to begin by the end of 2027. The development is also expected to create thousands of jobs and provide technical training for Tanzanian youth, linking local workers to global supply chains and advanced manufacturing standards.
TISEZA Director General Mr. Giliad Teri welcomed the investment, noting that it reflects growing confidence in Tanzania’s stable policy environment, competitive incentives, and strong institutions under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He added that the park will strengthen local supply chains and position Tanzania as a regional manufacturing and logistics hub.
Teri emphasized that the project aligns with the government’s strategy to reduce import dependence, expand value-added production, and increase foreign exchange earnings through exports.
He said the industrial park will serve as a model for future public-private partnerships in infrastructure and manufacturing.
Economists have described the agreement as a transformative step for Tanzania’s industrialization agenda. They note that the scale of the investment could shift the country’s economic growth beyond expectations.
The park’s design includes integrated housing and commercial facilities, which economists say will create a self-sustaining ecosystem that reduces transportation costs and improves workforce productivity.
They argue that the clustering of related industries within one location will generate economies of scale, foster innovation, and encourage technology transfer between foreign and local firms. This is particularly important for small and medium enterprises, which can benefit from being linked to larger supply chains and export markets without bearing the full cost of infrastructure development.
The location within Bagamoyo Eco Maritime City is considered strategic due to its proximity to the Indian Ocean and planned port facilities.
Economists argue that the project will give Tanzania a competitive advantage in regional trade by lowering logistics costs and reducing delivery times to markets in East and Southern Africa.
“The park’s connectivity to road and rail networks is expected to further enhance its role as a gateway for goods moving in and out of the region,” Nicholaus Gillis an economist said on his comment.
He added: “The project could help Tanzania diversify its export destinations beyond traditional partners, strengthening economic resilience.
Local Tanzanians in Bagamoyo have voiced mixed but generally hopeful reactions. Many residents see the project as a chance for steady employment and better livelihoods, especially for young people who currently travel to Dar es Salaam for work. Mama Asha Mwinyi, a market vendor near the BEMC site, said the park could bring more customers and opportunities for small traders like her.
“If there are more people working here, we will have more people buying food, clothes, and other goods. That will help our families,” she said.
Young graduates in the area also welcome the prospect of technical training and internships, noting that practical experience in manufacturing has been hard to access locally.
Kudos for the deal have come from both domestic and international observers who see it as a vote of confidence in Tanzania’s reform agenda.
Juma Hamis a Tanzanian living in London said in a telephone interview, “I have seen the agreement as evidence that Tanzania is emerging as a preferred destination for large-scale foreign direct investment in Africa of which the project complements ongoing efforts to improve the business climate through regulatory reforms and digital governance initiatives.
He concludes:: “I believe that if executed effectively, the industrial park could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the continent, demonstrating how targeted infrastructure investment can drive inclusive economic growth while benefiting the communities that host it.”
