DODOMA: PLANS to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Ilemela Municipality have received a 1bn/- allocation in the 2026/27 financial year to support preparation of the project and lay the groundwork for industrial and investment development in the Lake Zone.
Deputy Minister in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Dr Pius Chaya, told the National Assembly yesterday while responding to a basic question from Ilemela MP Mr Kafiti Kafiti (CCM), who sought to know the government’s plans for establishing a special investment zone in the constituency.
In response, Dr Chaya said the funds will be used to prepare a master plan for the area, conduct feasibility studies, develop preliminary designs and establish enabling infrastructure for the proposed investment zone.
He said the project forms part of wider efforts to implement the National Development Vision 2050 and strengthen industrialisation and investment across the country.
“The government is committed to establishing the Ilemela SEZ as a strategic investment hub that will stimulate economic growth, increase production and create employment opportunities for wananchi,” Dr Chaya said.
The deputy minister told lawmakers that under the Fourth Five-Year Development Plan (FYDP IV), seven flagship programmes have been identified to transform key sectors of the economy, including industry, trade and investment.
For the Lake Zone, he said, implementation of the Great Lakes Special Industrial and Blue Economy Hub (GLSIBEH) will involve seven strategic projects aimed at unlocking the region’s economic potential.
Dr Chaya said Ilemela Municipal Council, in collaboration with the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA), has already set aside 72.7 hectares of land near the Nyamuhongoro Bus Terminal for establishment of the Special Economic Zone.
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According to the deputy minister, the planned zone is expected to become a major industrial and investment centre for Mwanza Region and the wider Lake Zone, attracting both local and foreign investors.
He said the development will support value addition, manufacturing, logistics and trade activities while creating jobs and boosting household incomes.
The deputy minister also invited investors to participate in the project through PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) arrangements, saying the government remains committed to creating a conducive investment environment.
“We call upon both domestic and foreign investors to utilise the opportunities available through this project and partner with the government in developing the area,” he said.
Once operational, the Ilemela SEZ is expected to strengthen Mwanza’s position as a commercial and industrial gateway for the Lake Zone and neighbouring regional markets while contributing to national economic growth.