TRADE authorities are pushing for the country to become a key destination for Indian investment, particularly in agro-based value-added products.

Exaud Kigahe, the Trade and Industry deputy minister, said at the Tanzania–India Business Forum in Dar es Salaam yesterday that this is part of efforts by Tanzania and India to significantly deepen economic cooperation, with a view to doubling the current $7bn trade volume annually in the current decade.

He emphasized Tanzania’s strategic push to become a leading destination for Indian investment, asserting that we need to attract Indian investors, especially in value addition across sectors where Tanzania is rich in raw materials.

The government is heavily investing in agriculture, which remains the country’s largest export contributor, he said, reiterating the government’s goal of expanding foreign trade, with bilateral trade with India expected to reach $10bn in the least.

Major reforms to investment conditions undertaken by the government include elimination of 378 nuisance taxes over the past decade, despite that many of the levies have been restored by local government authorities, analysts noted.

A major shift in the past month is the streamlining of regulatory bodies to reduce bureaucracy, creating the Tanzania Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), expected to play a vital role in policy oversight with a view to enhancing investor confidence, he explained.

He identified critical sectors ripe for Indian investment as including information and communication technology (ICT), where India is globally recognized, along with manufacturing of transport equipment for instance in relation to spare parts for the standard gauge railway (SGR).

Tanzania’s strategic location positions it as a natural logistics hub for East and Southern Africa, making it an ideal base for Indian firms looking to expand their regional footprint, the deputy minister asserted, while George Mukono, the TISEZA acting director general, enthused in the growing economic partnership between Tanzania and India.

India has significant investments in manufacturing, healthcare, ICT, infrastructure, and agriculture, he said, hailing reform efforts aimed at improving Tanzania’s investment climate by increasing transparency, cutting bureaucracy and enhancing investor support.

TISEA was established under the 2025 Act as a one-stop facilitation centre to simplify business processes, he said, urging Indian investors to explore opportunities in the numerous agro-based processing industries.

He similarly cited renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, ICT, automotive industries, textiles, healthcare equipment and education initiatives, encouraging joint ventures and public-private partnerships to drive sustainable growth.

Special economic zones in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Dodoma and Mwanza are likely to be prime locations for manufacturing and export, serving the broader African market, he said.

Ombeni Mwasha, the ministry’s head of business integration, echoed the importance of bilateral ties in economic growth, while Anisa Mbega, the high commissioner to India, said that a cumulative $4.1bn in foreign direct investment (FDI) since 1997 as promising.

The recent establishment of direct flights to Mumbai, India’s business capital, will help boost trade activity as a bridge that enhances connectivity and business engagement, she stated.

“India accounts for over 85 percent of our pharmaceutical products and 60 percent of medical equipment imports,” she said, pointing at the need to attract Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest locally and help transform Tanzania into a health referrals hub for the region.

A high-profile Indian delegation, comprising representatives of more than 40 companies, is currently in the country for the forum, also exploring concrete investment opportunities, officials noted