THE Ministry of Finance has announced that 80 development projects have been facilitated through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements as of April 2025, in a move aimed at accelerating implementation of national strategic initiatives in collaboration with private investors.

Deputy Minister for Finance Hamad Hassan Chande made the disclosure in Parliament yesterday while responding to a question from Mbeya Rural MP Oran Njeza (CCM), who sought clarity on the scope and progress of projects being implemented under the PPP framework.

According to Chande, the projects are being executed in line with the Public-Private Partnership Act. He noted that Section 10A of the Act provides for the establishment of the PPP Facilitation Fund (PPPFF), which supports preparation and execution of PPP projects across various sectors.

Additionally, Section 5(1) of the same Act empowers the PPP Centre to offer technical assistance to government entities and private stakeholders in all stages of project identification, development and implementation.

Breaking down the status of the 80 facilitated projects, Chande said three are currently under implementation, four are at the negotiation stage, two are in the procurement phase, 26 are undergoing feasibility studies, 13 are at the preliminary feasibility stage and 32 are in the early concept development phase.

In a supplementary question, MP Njeza raised concerns about the government’s approach to advancing high-impact PPP projects such as the Igawa–Tunduma road. He pointed out that current budget laws restrict direct public financing for such large-scale infrastructure, thus underscoring the need for robust private sector engagement.

He also pressed for updates on plans to develop a modern railway under the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), suggesting that a PPP model would be key to its successful execution.

Responding, Chande confirmed that the government was actively promoting early private sector participation in PPP projects. He said a private partner is already involved in preparing the Igawa–Tunduma road under a PPP framework.

On the TAZARA project, Chande stated that Tanzania and Zambia were working jointly with the Chinese government to facilitate its redevelopment. He revealed that negotiations were at an advanced stage, with the two countries close to signing an agreement with a contractor: China’s CECC to commence railway upgrades.

“This demonstrates our shared commitment to leveraging private sector capacity in delivering transformative regional infrastructure,” he said.

The growing reliance on PPPs reflects the government’s strategy to unlock capital, expertise and innovation from the private sector to complement public efforts in driving sustainable development.