What does Tanzania import from the world? Promising investment opportunities and growing economic cooperation with Egypt.

Written by: Mohamed Ragab

Tanzania is one of the largest emerging economies in East Africa, benefiting from its strategic location on the Indian Ocean coast and its membership in the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which has made it an important trading hub linking the countries of East, Central and Southern Africa.

In recent years, the Tanzanian government has moved to implement broad economic reforms and improve the business environment to attract foreign investment, with a focus on developing infrastructure, energy and industry.

Economic relations between Egypt and Tanzania have witnessed a remarkable boom in recent years, driven by a shared desire from the political leadership in both countries to strengthen joint African cooperation.

Volume of trade exchange between the two countries 

The volume of trade between Egypt and Tanzania ranges from $80 to $90 million annually, with the trade balance noticeably favoring Egypt.

According to the latest digital indicators, Egyptian exports to Tanzania amount to about $52 million, while Egyptian imports from Tanzanian markets amount to about $10.4 million.

The joint committees and business councils are working continuously to double these figures in line with the enormous potential of the two countries and the efforts to integrate African economies.

The main goods that Tanzania imports

Tanzania is one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in East Africa, and its import list is diverse to meet the needs of rapid development and infrastructure.

Egyptian pharmaceutical products and medical supplies top the list of these imports due to the high demand for them in the Tanzanian market, followed by building and construction materials such as iron, cement and electrical wires, driven by the construction boom there.

Tanzanian markets also import electronic and electrical equipment such as television screens and various household appliances, along with chemical products, plastics, fertilizers, smart cards, and electronic payment cards manufactured with high technologies.

Top investment opportunities in Tanzania

Tanzania has an attractive investment environment supported by extensive government facilities, and Egyptian investments there currently exceed $1.3 billion, placing Egypt among the top ten investing countries in the country.

The most prominent investment sectors available are in infrastructure and energy projects, led by the huge Julius Nyerere Dam project, which is being implemented by a consortium of Egyptian companies with investments exceeding three billion dollars, as an inspiring model for power generation and irrigation projects.

There are also promising opportunities in real estate development and housing to create residential complexes that meet population growth, in addition to the food and agriculture sector to take advantage of the abundance of fertile land, and the transport and logistics sector to develop ports and connect Tanzania with neighboring landlocked countries.