THE Planning Commission is finalizing the fourth five-year development plan to guide the implementation of the newly inaugurated Vision 2050.

Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, the Planning and Investment state minister in the President’s Office, told journalists in Dar es Salaam yesterday that the new plan, which includes over 2,100 projects, is intended to steer major infrastructure, energy and industrial initiatives starting this financial year.

He said that the country is decisively advancing its national development agenda, with the government finalizing the new plan following the official launch of Vision 2050 in July, where the commission completed the long-term perspective plan and appointed a 22-member team of experts led by Dr John Mduma, to draft the medium term plan.

The new five year plan includes new and existing projects critical to economic and social transformation, he said, highlighting new projects including the construction of 13 major bridges and flyovers to enhance urban and inter-city connectivity.

The Mkulazi sugar factory is expected to boost agro-industrial sector goals, along with completion of the East African Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project from Hoima to Tanga, now at 55 per cent completion.

The Kilwa Masoko fishing port and vessel procurement now at its initial stages,  the standard gauge railway (SGR) and the meter gauge central line with eight lots to be constructed, along with Ruhudji hydropower project to generate 358 MW, also in its starting phases, were set out/

Rumakali hydropower project (222 MW) was similarly set out, plus the still unconcluded Lindi liquefied natural gas project, also at its initial stages.

Preparations are also advancing for the southern SGR line from Mtwara to Mbambabay, with branches to the coal and iron ore sites of Liganga and Mchuchuma, while not being an electric train project like the current SGR line.

Announcing a breakthrough on the long-stalled Mchuchuma coal and Liganga iron ore project, he referred to a key industrial initiative that, once operational, could make Tanzania the fourth-largest steel producer in Africa.

The project was suspended in 2015 after the government found that the joint venture agreement with Sichuan Hongda Corporation (SHG) did not fully protect national interests, he said, .explaining that the situation changed following SHG acquisition by Shudao Investment Group (SDIG) last year, negotiating new terms since early this year.

“The discussions are in their final stages, and agreement has been reached on key issues,” he said, noting that compensation payments have been completed. “The project land is now fully state-owned, clearing the way for full-scale development,” he elaborated.

He stressed that success in Vision 2050 relies on active private sector participation, where the government plans to review the blueprint for improving the business and investment environment to attract more domestic and foreign investment.

Special attention will be given to building the capacity of locally-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), enabling them to compete regionally and internationally, he said.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to a transparent and equitable investment environment, he said that accelerating these projects will transform the economic landscape, boost industrial output and position Tanzania as a regional investment and trade hub.