On 12 September 2025, H.E. Anderson Mutatembwa paid a courtesy visit to the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) at its Headquarters in Tokyo to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in development finance.

During the meeting, H.E. Ambassador Mutatembwa and Mr. Tatsushi Amano, Senior Executive Managing Officer and Global Head of the Energy and Natural Resources Finance Group at JBIC, exchanged views on priority areas of cooperation between Tanzania and Japan. The discussions focused on opportunities for deepening collaboration in sectors critical to Tanzania’s socio-economic development, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and industrial development.

Mr. Amano warmly welcomed the Ambassador and expressed JBIC’s appreciation for the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between Japan and Tanzania. He reaffirmed JBIC’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s development efforts, particularly through the promotion of sustainable investment and the facilitation of Japanese private sector participation in key sectors of the Tanzanian economy. He noted that JBIC attaches great importance to Tanzania as a strategic partner in Africa, given its political stability, economic potential, and pivotal role in the East and Southern African region.

The Ambassador highlighted Tanzania’s significant potential in energy development, particularly in power generation, transmission and renewable energy, and emphasized the Government of Tanzania’s commitment to creating an enabling and predictable investment environment. He welcomed JBIC’s continued interest in supporting bankable projects that align with Tanzania’s national development priorities.

In response, Mr. Amano underscored JBIC’s keen interest in supporting projects that contribute to sustainable development, energy security, and regional connectivity. He emphasized JBIC’s readiness to explore financing options for viable projects in energy and infrastructure, including through concessional loans, co-financing arrangements, and risk mitigation instruments, in close collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and relevant stakeholders.

Discussions also underscored the importance of infrastructure development as a catalyst for industrialization and regional trade. The Ambassador reiterated Tanzania’s strategic geographical position as a gateway to East and Southern Africa, noting the country’s growing role as a regional logistics and investment hub. Mr. Amano acknowledged this strategic advantage and noted that JBIC views infrastructure connectivity as essential for enhancing trade flows, supporting industrial growth, and attracting long-term investment.

Agriculture and agro-processing were highlighted as priority sectors under Tanzania’s industrialization agenda. The Ambassador emphasized opportunities for value addition, agribusiness investment, and technology transfer, and expressed Tanzania’s readiness to work with JBIC in facilitating Japanese private sector participation in these areas. Mr. Amano indicated that JBIC is interested in projects that strengthen food security, promote resilient agricultural value chains, and support private-sector-led growth.

Both sides underscored the importance of mobilizing Japanese private sector investment through JBIC’s financing instruments, risk mitigation mechanisms, and partnerships with other development finance institutions. Mr. Amano reiterated JBIC’s willingness to continue working closely with the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Tokyo to identify priority projects and facilitate dialogue between Japanese companies and Tanzanian counterparts.