THE government yesterday launched a nationwide investment promotion campaign for special economic zones (SEZs).

Prof Kitila Mkumbo, Planning and Investment state minister in the President’s Office, said at the launch in the commercial capital that the effort is geared at transforming Tanzania into a leading industrial and investment hub on the continent.

The campaign backs up the government’s broader vision to align SEZs activities with national development corridors and major infrastructure projects, he stated, underlining that “it reflects our unwavering commitment to building a strong industrial economy.”

 “SEZs are not just locations—they are the cornerstone of our national economic growth strategy,” he affirmed, pointing at the leading role of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA).

Five major SEZs have been identified for the current investment attraction drive, namely Nala SEZ (Dodoma) with 607 hectares, Kwala SEZ (Coast Region) spread over 40.5 hectares, along with Buzwagi SEZ in Shinyanga with a broader acreage of 1,333 hectares,

Others are Bagamoyo eco-maritime city SEZ (Phase I) – 151 hectares, Benjamin William Mkapa SEZ (Dar es Salaam, undergoing expansion) – 13,000 square metres.

“These zones have been strategically selected to ensure regional inclusivity and balanced industrial growth across the country,” he affirmed, noting that Tanzania’s journey with SEZs began in 2006, with the establishment of the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) under the ‘mini-tiger plan’ (2004–2020).

 Since then, a total of 34 SEZs have been initiated—17 by the central government, two by parastatal organisations (NSSF and TPA), four by local governments, and 11 by the private sector, he elaborated.

 Additionally, over 200 stand-alone export processing zones have been registered, despite that challenges remain, like high land lease costs, inadequate infrastructure and various tax and regulatory barriers.

The government introduced the SEZ development and management guidelines in September 2024 to address these issues, seeking to streamline SEZ development and boosting investor confidence, he said.

Earmarked areas offer an attractive incentive framework to investors including up to 10 years of corporate income tax exemption, simplified regulatory processes and access to essential infrastructure, he said.

For investors, SEZs offer significant tax relief and reduced operational costs by accessing domestic, regional and international markets, he said, affirming that the SEZ strategy is expected to: create thousands of jobs especially for the youth, boost exports and cut reliance on imports

Local and international investors need to actively participate in Tanzania’s industrialisation journey, he stated, asserting that this is a shared responsibility, where the government is improving investment conditions. ”But we also need capital, technology and expertise to build the Tanzania we envision,” he remarked

With the campaign now officially underway, the government—through TISEZA—is set to embark on an aggressive promotion drive locally and outside, with investor forums, business summits and targeted promotional tours.

These events will highlight the potential of Tanzania’s SEZs and attract strategic partnerships, he stated, while Gilead Teri, the TISEZA director general, reaffirmed readiness to support investors and ensure smooth implementation of SEZ projects across the country.

“We are targeting sectors such as pharmaceuticals, wool, packaging, electronics, agriculture and value addition, among other industries’ he added.