Banjul. Tanzania has finalised its agenda for presentation at the 2026 African Caucus meeting, with the government using the gathering to strengthen economic diplomacy and attract greater investment from West Africa.
The minister for Finance, Amb Khamis Mussa Omar who is representing Tanzania at the three-day African Caucus conference in Banjul said Tanzania offers attractive investment opportunities in agriculture, tourism and financial services.
He urged investors from The Gambia, Nigeria and other African countries to explore business opportunities in Tanzania and expand trade relations.
The minister said Tanzania has relied heavily on traditional Western tourism markets for many years.
However, he stressed that the country is now seeking to diversify its investment and tourism sources to support long-term economic growth.
He said improved air connectivity, including services by Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) between Tanzania and Nigeria, would help strengthen business links, increase tourist arrivals and facilitate trade between East and West Africa.
“We have significant opportunities across several sectors. We want investors from West Africa to take advantage of these opportunities while strengthening trade between our regions,” Mr Omar said.
Briefing the meeting, Tanzania’s Ambassador to Nigeria, who is also accredited to The Gambia, Selestine Kakele said Tanzania’s embassy in Nigeria continues to implement the country’s economic diplomacy policy by promoting trade and investment across West Africa.
He said agricultural exports to the region reached $38 million during the 2024/25 financial year.
“One of our leading exports to Nigeria is sisal, which accounts for about 20 percent of our total production. Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) data also shows that investment attracted from West Africa has reached $1.8 billion,” Ambassador Kakele said.
He added that several West African companies have expressed interest in investing in Tanzania, with discussions continuing to facilitate their entry into the market.
The African Caucus meeting brings together African finance ministers, central bank governors, policymakers, development partners and representatives of international financial institutions.
Participants will discuss key economic and development challenges facing the continent and develop a common African position for engagement with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
