Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister, Dr Mwigulu Nchemba, has called upon international development partners to align their strategic objectives with the African continent’s priorities to foster sustainable economic growth.
Representing President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Africa–France Partnership for Innovation and Growth Summit, held in Nairobi from May 11 to 12, 2026, Dr Nchemba emphasised a fundamental shift from traditional capacity building towards the tangible development of infrastructure.
During a discussion regarding the agricultural sector, Dr Nchemba argued that the continent has spent far too much time discussing theoretical capabilities rather than constructing the physical frameworks necessary for nations to drive their own agendas effectively.
He stressed that the era of exporting raw materials must come to an end, asserting that Tanzania’s future focus remains firmly on value addition.
This vision includes the transfer of technology and the integration of modern agricultural machinery, extension services, and digital systems to revolutionise the industry.
On the sidelines of the summit, Dr Nchemba held talks with Christophe Lecourtier, the Chief Executive Officer of the French Development Agency (AFD), where he highlighted Tanzania’s commitment to pharmaceutical self-reliance.
The Prime Minister revealed that the government is prioritising investment in domestic medicine manufacturing to reduce a heavy dependence on foreign imports.
He invited French investors to capitalise on Tanzania’s strategic position as a gateway to both the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets.
The Prime Minister also extended his gratitude to the AFD for its commitment to the second phase of the Lake Victoria Water Project.
He described the initiative as a vital strategic move to improve the availability of clean and safe water for Tanzanian citizens.
These discussions formed part of a broader effort to ensure that international partnerships translate into direct benefits for local communities.
The summit, which gathered various Heads of State, private sector leaders, and investors, focused on strengthening ties across sectors such as energy, health, Artificial Intelligence, and the blue economy.
In his opening remarks, Kenyan President Dr William Samoei Ruto urged African nations to rethink their economic structures by enhancing domestic resource mobilisation and regional cooperation.
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these sentiments of mutual growth, announcing a 27-billion-dollar investment for the continent and encouraging African business leaders to seek reciprocal investment opportunities within France.
Reflecting on the summit’s outcomes, Dr Nchemba noted that Africa possesses sufficient resources to build a robust economy if managed correctly.
He maintained that the ultimate goal of these international collaborations is the eradication of poverty and the creation of sustainable employment opportunities, particularly for women and the youth.
