A MAJOR leap in Tanzania’s healthcare and medical education is underway following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of a major kidney transplant training centre in Dodoma Region.

Witnessed by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, the agreement signed on Monday during the Tanzania-Japan Business, Investment and Tourism Forum in Osaka, Japan, brings together Japan’s Tokushukai Medical Group, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital and the University of Dodoma (UDOM). The project, worth over 28bn/-, is a grant with no conditions attached — a significant gesture of goodwill and long-term partnership from Japan.

The state-of-the-art centre will be built on the grounds of Benjamin Mkapa Hospital and is expected to be operational within three years. It aims to serve not only Tanzanians but also patients from across the broader sub-Sahara region, marking Tanzania a regional leader in kidney transplant services.

Prof. Abel Makubi, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital executive director, described the signing as a pivotal moment in the hospital’s development and its ongoing partnership with Tokushukai, which has previously supported dialysis services.

“The MoU sets the stage for a centre of excellence in kidney transplantation,” he said. “It will be a game-changer for specialist care in Tanzania and the continent.”

The centre will also provide advanced training for transplant specialists and conduct research to combat kidney-related illnesses. UDOM will collaborate closely in the academic and training components of the project.

According to UDOM Vice Chancellor Prof. Lugano Kusiluka, the partnership will support the university’s broader mission of producing highly skilled health professionals.

In addition, Prof. Kusiluka revealed that UDOM prepares to introduce a new medical equipment engineering programme which will focus on training local experts to manufacture, maintain, and repair vital medical devices. “This will reduce our reliance on foreign technicians and position Tanzania as a hub for medical engineering in East and Central Africa,” he said.

The kidney transplant project is part of a series of six agreements signed during the forum between institutions from Tanzania and various Japanese organisations.

One of the other key agreements involved collaboration between UDOM, Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, and the Africa Economic Development Association (AFRECO), further strengthening ties between Tanzania and Japan in health and education.

The forum, held as part of Tanzania’s participation in the World Expo Osaka 2025, was officially opened by PM Majaliwa.

He commended the Japanese partners and Tanzanian institutions for their forward-looking vision and expressed confidence that the partnerships will deliver lasting benefits for Tanzanians and the East African region.