How Tanzania EPZA courts investments from South Africa

Dar es Salaam. The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) has invited South African investors to explore and tap the huge business opportunities available in the country.

EPZA director of investment promotion James Maziku told the visiting South African business delegation in Dar es Salaam over the weekend that Tanzania is endowed with immense opportunities that can benefit South Africans as well.

“You have come at a time when the country is pushing for an industry-based economy…there are many business opportunities here through investment under the incentive rich EPZ and SEZ schemes,” said Mr Maziku.

He cited agricultural and mineral processing industries as areas that yearn for serious investments. “Tanzania and South Africa have had a good political, social and economic relations…let us work together for the betterment of our people,” the EPZA director said.

Tanzania’s geographical location, endowment in natural resources, said Mr Maziku, give the country immense competitive advantage over other neighbouring countries.

“Tanzania is a gateway to many landlocked countries,” he added.

The visiting South Africans also visited some industries, including Samoni Agro Exports Ltd, that operate under the EPZs and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) schemes at the Benjamin Mkapa SEZ at Mabibo.

Briefing the visitors, the Samoni Company’s Managing director, Mr Alykhan Samoni said the factory, which started operations last year, processes yellow grain for export markets in Pakistani, Canada, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, among others.

The factory whose total investment is estimated at $1 million (about Sh2.25 billion) has installed processing capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year.

A representative of South African Department of Trade and Industry, who coordinated the mission, Ms Kwanda Modise, said the opportunities available have impressed the team, adding that she was optimistic that they will invest in Tanzania.