CCM presidential candidate Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged to step up investment in irrigation, energy and road infrastructure to accelerate the country’s economic transformation.

Addressing a campaign rally in Iringa Municipality yesterday, Samia said her administration had prioritised expanding irrigation schemes to boost food production and resilience against climate shocks.

She recalled her 2022 pledge to deliver large-scale irrigation projects in Iringa, noting that six schemes worth 104.4bn/- have already been implemented, benefiting more than 62,800 people.

She pointed to progress in agriculture, with coffee production rising from 109 tonnes in 2020 to 323 tonnes this year while maize harvests have soared to 10 million tonnes, making Tanzania among major maize producer in Africa. To support farmers, she said the government has distributed subsidised farm inputs and will construct 50 avocado and vegetable cold storage facilities across the country to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access.

Samia said Tanzania’s electricity generation has grown from just 600 megawatts in 2020 to 4,000MW currently, with ongoing projects expected to push capacity to 8,000MW in the coming years.

 “This is the foundation that will power our industries, create jobs, and ensure reliable access to energy in every part of the country,” she said.

The presidential candidate also cited progress in infrastructure and industrialisation, including modernisation of Iringa Airport and a jump in the number of factories from 24 in 2020 to 40 today.

She pledged to continue expanding tarmac roads in the region despite high costs, noting that improved connectivity remains vital for trade, tourism and service delivery. 

"Even if one kilometre of road costs as much as building two health centres, we will not stop because both are equally important for development,” she said.

She promised to construct a modern Machinga complex in Iringa to accommodate small-scale traders, underscoring her government’s commitment to supporting micro-entrepreneurs. 

She also highlighted the revival of the cooperatives movement, announcing the establishment of a cooperative bank that aims to strengthen farmers’ access to credit and inputs. 

Cooperative unions, she said, will be empowered to distribute subsidised farm inputs and market members’ produce more effectively.

 “We are well prepared to take care of our cooperatives and use them to uplift farmers,” she stated, adding that digital platforms would be introduced to enable farmers to sell their crops at better prices.

Samia reiterated her pledge to expand health and education facilities nationwide, pointing to recent progress in Iringa where new health centres, district hospitals, and secondary schools have been built and equipped.

She urged Tanzanians to remain united and reject divisions, saying CCM’s record of delivery and future plans offer the best guarantee for inclusive growth and prosperity.