On 23 June 2025, His Excellency Ambassador Baraka Luvanda had an exclusive interview with Mr. Shigeru Seno of NIKKEI Media, one of Japan’s leading business publications. They discussed Tanzania’s expectations ahead of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9), which is scheduled to take place in August 2025 in Yokohama.
Ambassador Luvanda highlighted that Tanzania views TICAD 9 as a vital platform for transforming dialogue into tangible results. He underscored the importance of advancing infrastructure projects, promoting green growth, attracting investment, fostering digital innovation, and developing human capital. Tanzania expects TICAD 9 to facilitate the finalization of new development agreements and to encourage high-level bilateral meetings.
The ambassador shared a list of transformative projects that have emerged in Tanzania as a result of previous TICAD summits. Some of these include: the Arusha–Holili Road Project (TICAD 6), Kigoma Port Rehabilitation (TICAD 7), Dodoma Urban Road Improvement (TICAD 8), the Zanzibar Urban Water Distribution Project (TICAD 6), Maternal and Child Health Equipment Projects (TICAD 7 & 8), Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) Support Programs (TICAD 6 & 7), and Geothermal Capacity Development Projects (TICAD 8).
Ambassador Luvanda urged for strategic, high-value investments from Japan in several sectors, including agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy (geothermal, solar, hydro), transport and logistics infrastructure, medical technology and healthcare, and the digital economy along with startup innovation. He praised Japan’s commitment to quality and long-term engagement, stating, “Japanese companies have a key role to play in our journey toward an export-driven, value-added economy.”
He also called on Japan to leverage the potential of Tanzania’s youthful population by expanding work and training programs. The ambassador expressed a strong interest in finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) to facilitate structured labor migration, particularly in sectors experiencing shortages in Japan. He referenced ongoing negotiations with Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) regarding a bilateral framework for human resource development in the construction sector. This proposed agreement aims to support skills training, institutional development, and sustainable employment pathways for Tanzanian youth.
Describing Tanzania as a gateway to East and Southern Africa, Ambassador Luvanda reiterated the country’s political stability, pro-business reforms, and abundant resources. He welcomed Japanese investors to explore opportunities in agribusiness, information and communications technology (ICT), manufacturing, tourism, and special economic zones. He also mentioned the recent signing of a Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) MoU between Tanzania and Japan, aimed at promoting green technology cooperation and climate mitigation through bilateral partnerships.
Furthermore, Ambassador Luvanda extended a warm invitation to Japanese tourists and tour operators, highlighting Tanzania’s globally renowned attractions, including Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti, Zanzibar, and the Ngorongoro Crater. “Tanzania is a paradise for eco-conscious, cultural, and wellness tourism,” he remarked. The country is actively seeking investment in hospitality and tourism infrastructure as well.
In closing, Ambassador Luvanda thanked NIKKEI Media for its consistent interest in Africa and for promoting African voices in Japan’s media landscape.
