PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan is tomorrow expected to receive Dr Akinwumi Adesina, the outgoing president of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) on a three day visit to Tanzania.

An AfDB statement circulated yesterday confirmed that Dr Adesina will hold high-level discussions with Tanzanian officials in his June 13 to 15 visit, “in a bid to reinforce the bank’s long-standing development partnership with the East African nation.”
During the visit, the University of Dar es Salaam will award Dr. Adesina an honorary doctorate degree in recognition of his exemplary leadership and steadfast commitment to Africa’s transformation, it said.
His itinerary includes tours of key AfDB-supported transport infrastructure projects, reflecting the bank’s strategic emphasis on infrastructure, economic growth and social development in Tanzania, it affirmed.
 The AfDB manages a $2.41bn transport portfolio in the country, representing 66 percent of its infrastructure investments, the statement indicated, citing notable projects as including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Phase II, where the bank contributed $63m to develop 20.3km of dedicated bus lanes.
There is also a $364m transport sector support programme upgrading 410km of roads, and the 110km Dodoma outer ring road, it said.
Additional initiatives include the $2.5bn coastal corridor upgrade from Bagamoyo to Tanga, the Nyakanazi–Kabingo–Kasulu–Kumnazi road upgrades and the Tabora–Kigoma–Uvinza standard gauge railway section, which extends connectivity to Burundi, it elaborated.
In the energy sector, AfDB has co-financed the 87.8MW Kakono hydroelectric plant in Kagera Region with a $161m loan and the 50MW Malagarasi hydropower plant in Kigoma Region with $120m credit.
It also supports the Isinya–Singida high-voltage power line connecting Tanzania and Kenya and has approved $696m for 650km of central corridor meter gauge rail upgrades, it stated.
The bank’s $129.7m youth agribusiness initiative further illustrates its investment in human capital and inclusive economic growth. “Collectively, these projects underscore AfDB’s strong commitment to Tanzania’s sustainable development and regional integration goals,” it added.