Mbeya City has invited private-sector investors to help develop a proposed central market estimated to cost between 15 billion and 18 billion shillings, as the government looks to expand investment opportunities and create jobs. The appeal emerged from discussions between government officials and stakeholders focused on strengthening investment cooperation and identifying opportunities for private-sector involvement in major development projects.
Festo Nashon, Mbeya City's Head of Industry, Trade and Investment, said private-sector involvement was essential to delivering large-scale infrastructure projects of this type. He encouraged traders and business stakeholders to participate in government-organised meetings to understand available investment opportunities and contribute to successful implementation. The proposed market is part of implementing Vision 2050, which aims to increase the private sector's contribution to national economic growth to 70 per cent.
A public-private partnership arrangement would allow multiple investors to share the project, potentially expanding business opportunities and creating employment, particularly for young people, Mr Nashon said. Beyond the central market, Mbeya City has another project earmarked for implementation through the PPP framework: the rehabilitation of an abattoir. Innocent Mauki, Head of Projects' Preparation and Development at the PPP Centre, said the institution regularly engages local government authorities and stakeholders to gather their views before investment opportunities are formally presented to potential investors.
For PPP projects to succeed, Mr Mauki stressed they must be economically sustainable, affordable to citizens and operate in an environment that allows investors to function effectively. Investment projects should deliver meaningful public benefits while ensuring services remain accessible to intended beneficiaries. Fulgence Matemele, an economist in the Prime Minister's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government Authorities, said there was proper coordination to ensure PPP projects achieved their intended objectives and contributed to citizens' welfare.
For savers, borrowers, business owners and investors in Tanzania, this means access to new opportunities to participate in major infrastructure development while potentially earning returns, though success depends on project delivery and proper governance.