RUVUMA INVESTMENT GUIDE

 

RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | i
THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATION
AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
RUVUMA REGION
INVESTMENT GUIDE
The preparation of this guide was supported by
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and
Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF)
ISBN: 978 - 9987 - 664 - 02 - 3 E-mail: esrf@esrf.or.tz
Website: www.esrftz.or.tz
ii | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................v
LIST OF MAPS...........................................................................................................................................v
LIST OF FIGURES....................................................................................................................................vi
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS.................................................................................................................vii
FOREWORD..............................................................................................................................................xi
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................................................... xiii
DISCLAIMER............................................................................................................................................ xv
PART ONE:................................................................................................1
REASONS FOR INVESTING IN RUVUMA REGION..........................................1
1.1 Ruvuma Region in the Broader Tanzanian Context..............................................1
1.2 Investment Climate and Trade Policy in Tanzania..................................................2
1.3 Reasons to Invest in Ruvuma Region.............................................................................5
1.4 Suggested Priority Investment Areas in Ruvuma Region..............................10
1.4.1 Main Areas of Investment..................................................................................10
1.4.2 Regional Level Priority Investment Opportunities.............................11
1.4.3 Council Level Priority Investment Opportunities................................11
1.5 The Guide’s Target Groups.................................................................................................12
PART TWO:..............................................................................................14
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF RUVUMA REGION................................... 14
2.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................14
2.2 Geographic Location.............................................................................................................14
2.3 Land Area and Administrative Units............................................................................14
2.4 Climatic Conditions, Topography and Agro-Ecological Zones...................16
2.4.1 Climate and Topography....................................................................................16
2.4.2 Agro-Ecological Zones.........................................................................................16
2.5 Regional Economy..................................................................................................................18
2.6 Productive Sectors..................................................................................................................21
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | iii
2.6.1 Agriculture Sector...................................................................................................21
2.6.2 Livestock.......................................................................................................................24
2.6.3 Forestry..........................................................................................................................26
2.6.4 Fisheries.........................................................................................................................26
2.6.5 Nature and Tourism...............................................................................................27
2.6.6 Mining Sector............................................................................................................28
2.6.7 Industrial Development......................................................................................28
2.7 Socio-Economic Context....................................................................................................30
2.7.1 Health Facilities.........................................................................................................30
2.7.2 Education and Literacy Levels.........................................................................30
2.7.3 Vocational Skills........................................................................................................31
PART THREE:..........................................................................................32
PRIORITY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN
RUVUMA REGION.......................................................................................... 32
3.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................32
3.2 Regional Level Priority Investment Opportunities..............................................34
3.3 Council Level Priority Investment Opportunities................................................44
PART FOUR:............................................................................................90
FACILITATION, PROCESSES, REQUIREMENTS AND INCENTIVES............. 90
4.1 Supportive Policies and Legal Environment...........................................................90
4.1.1 Policies, Legal, Institutional and Regulatory Considerations........90
4.1.2 Strategies, Plans, and Programmes..............................................................91
4.1.3 Investment Options: Private, PPP, PPCP, and Joint Ventures.........91
4.2 Facilitation: Processes and Requirements................................................................93
4.2.1 Lead Institution.........................................................................................................93
4.2.2 Main Institutions Dealing with Investment in Tanzania and
Ruvuma Region........................................................................................................94
4.2.3 Registration.................................................................................................................94
4.2.4 Central Government Taxes................................................................................94
4.3 General Investment Incentives.......................................................................................96
iv | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
4.4 Access to Resources...............................................................................................................97
4.4.1 Land for Investment in Tanzania....................................................................97
4.4.2 Land for Investment in Ruvuma Region...................................................98
4.4.3 Banking and Financial Services......................................................................98
4.4.4 Labour............................................................................................................................98
4.5 Inclusion and Participation of the Private Sector................................................99
PART FIVE:............................................................................................100
KEY CONTACTS IN RUVUMA REGION........................................................100
5.1 Key Websites............................................................................................................................100
5.2 Key Contacts............................................................................................................................100
5.2.1 Regional Commissioner’s Office.................................................................100
5.2.2 Songea MC...............................................................................................................101
5.2.3 Town Council..........................................................................................................101
5.2.4 District Councils....................................................................................................101
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | v
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Ruvuma Region: Number of Livestock Marketed in 2015................26
Table 2: Type of Industries by Council, Ruvuma Region in 2015....................29
LIST OF MAPS
Map 1: Ruvuma Region’s connections with other parts of
Tanzania and the whole Africa..............................................................................8
Map 2: Comparison of Electricity Connectivity in the
Regions of Tanzania..................................................................................................20
vi | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Commitments by Central Government, Ruvuma Regional
Administration, and Local Government Authorities to
provide Enabling Environment for Investors...............................................9
Figure 2: Ruvuma Region: Distribution of Surface Area by Council
in 2015...............................................................................................................................15
Figure 3: Average Household Size by Councils in Ruvuma Region,
2012 Census..................................................................................................................15
Figure 4: Percentage Distribution of Households by Main Source of
Income in Ruvuma Region...................................................................................19
Figure 5: Percentage of Average Production of Major Cash Crops
(average for years 2011 – 2015).........................................................................23
Figure 6: Population Distribution of Cattle by Council,
Ruvuma Region 2015...............................................................................................24
Figure 7: Number of Small-Scale Industries by Council,
Ruvuma Region in 2015.........................................................................................29
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | vii
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
AGOA Africa Growth Opportunity Act
AHEPO Andoya Hydro Electrical Power
AI Artificial Insemination
AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
ARI Acute Respiratory Infection
ARTI Agricultural Research and Training Institute
BOT Build Operate Transfer
BRELA Business Registration and Licensing Agency
CBT Cashew Board of Tanzania
CCP Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia
COMESA Common Market for East and South Africa
CSO Civil Society Organisation
D-by-D Decentralisation by Devolution
DC District Council
DPs Development Partners
EAC East African Community
EBA Everything But Arms
ECF East Coast Fever
EIA Environment Impact Assessment
EPZ Export Processing Zone
EPZA Export Processing Zones Authority
ESRF Economic and Social Research Foundation
EU European Union
EUR Euro
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation
FBO Faith-Based Organisation
FCC Fair Competition Commission
FETA Fisheries Education and Training Agency
FYDP II Five-Year Development Plan 2016-2021
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GoT Government of Tanzania
ICSD Centre for Settlement of investment Disputes
IIDS Integrated Industrial Development Strategy
IMF International Monetary Fund
IPU Investments Promotion Unit
viii | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
JKT Jeshi la KujengaTaifa
JV Joint Venture
Km Kilometre
KV Kilovolts
KWh Kilo Watt Hour
MC Municipal Council
MIGA Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
MITI Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
MLF Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
MoW Ministry of Water
MSMEs Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
MVS Mobile Veterinary Services
MW Megawatts
NAFCO National Agricultural Farms Company
NBS National Bureau of Statistics
NEEC National Economic Empowerment Council
NEMC National Environment Management Council
NGO Non-Government Organisation
PO-RALG President’s Office Regional Administration and Local
Government
PPP Public-Private Partnership
RALG Regional Administration and Local Government
RAS Regional Administrative Secretary
RC Roman Catholic
REC Regional Economic Community
SADC Southern African Development Community
SDL Skills and Development Levy
SEZ Special Economic Zone
SIDP Sustainable Industrial Development Policy
SODECO Songea Development Corporation
SOE State-Owned Enterprises
SUA Sokoine University of Agriculture
TADB Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank
TAHA Tanzania Horticultural Association
TANESCO Tanzania Electric Supply Company
TANTRADE Tanzania Trade Development Authority
TBC Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | ix
TC Town Council
TCC Tax Clearance Certificate
TCCIA Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture
TIA Tanzania Investment Act
TIB Tanzania Investment Bank
TIC Tanzania Investment Centre
TIN Taxpayer Identification Number
TMEA TradeMark East Africa
TNBC Tanzania National Business Council
TPSF Tanzania Private Sector Foundation
TRA Tanzania Revenue Authority
TRIMs Trade-related Investment Measures
TZS Tanzanian Shillings
UDSM University of Dar es Salaam
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization
UTI Urinary Tract Infection
VAT Value Added Tax
VETA Vocational Education and Training Authority
VST Vocational Skills Training
WB World Bank
WMA Wildlife Management Area
WTO World Trade Organisation
x | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
“My Government is determined to continue improving the business environment and, in so doing,
provide a wide range of appropriate incentives and support to unleash creativity of private sector and
other stakeholders in harnessing Tanzania’s comparative advantages and thereby boosting productivity,
enhancing innovation and fostering economic integration and deepening participation in the region
and global value chains.”
His Excellency, Dr. John Pombe Joseph Magufuli.
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Preface to
the Tanzania Five Year Development Plan, June, 2016.
“Industrialisation is relevant not only
because of economic reasons but more
because it enhances shared prosperity
necessary to ensure civil harmony. It
does this by increasing employment
of our youth, reducing poverty and
redressing inequality.”
Her Excellency, Samia Suluhu
Hassan.
The Vice President of the United
Republic of Tanzania remarks during
the 2nd East African Business and
Entrepreneurship Conference and
Exhibition held on 14th November 2017,
at the Dar es Salaam Serena Hotel.
“The 21st Century is going to identify itself with intensifying
competitive business environment in which business to
triumph are those with relevant industrial products and
services, modern technologies and human resource
that is imbued with respective skills, work ethics and
innovativeness. Industrialization is the basic requirement
and core secret of business to survive in the 21st Century.
It is in this wisdom that the Fifth Phase Government
of the United Republic of Tanzania has embraced
industrialization as its ultimate goal. The success of this
goal calls for the regional administrations to focus on the
provision of conducive business environment necessary
to facilitate business operations and flow of investments.”
Hon. Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa.
The Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania
In his opening remarks at the Business and Investment
Forum, Tabora Region, on 21st November, 2018.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | xi
FOREWORD
Welcome to Ruvuma Region, which consists
of Songea Municipal Council (MC), Songea
District Council (DC), Madaba DC, Mbinga DC,
Mbinga Town Council (TC), Nyasa DC, Tunduru
DC and Namtumbo DC. This Investment Guide
presents investment opportunities available in
all the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) of
the region. The Guide is in line with the overall
investment policy of Tanzania and is aligned with
National Development Frameworks such as the
Tanzania Development Vision 2025 and National Five-Year Development Plan
2016-2021 (FYDP II).
The Guide is also meant to assist in the execution of the development
pathway of the region as outlined by the Regional Commissioner’s office,
and as indicated in the Ruvuma Regional and Local Government Authorities
Development Plans. The Guide provides essential regional information to
prospective local and foreign firms and individuals and is meant to attract
them to make investment decisions in favour of any of the eight LGAs in order
to stimulate both business and enterprise growth.
The Investment Guide is also intended to enhance Ruvuma’s competitiveness
in areas of comparative strengths as well as emerging economic areas. Other
objectives of the Guide are to foster the productive capacities in key primary
sectors and industries, and to sustainably augment Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) and inclusive and resilient economic growth needed to accelerate
societal development and well-being of the people of Ruvuma and of
Tanzania at large.
Ruvuma Regional Authorities and the eight LGAs have resolved to prioritise
all investment initiatives and provide political support, attractive incentives
and support services for investors who set up investments in the region.
Additionally, the authorities will coordinate efforts to provide a satisfactory
policy, as well as a conducive regulatory and business environment. They are
readily available to provide further details on the selected strategic and viable
xii | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
opportunities to interested investors.
This work has taken commendable commitment by different stakeholders in
terms of finance, time and intellect. To this, I am indebted to many, but would
like to single out a few, and in particular the United Nations Development
Programme (UNDP) for financially supporting the preparation of this
Investment Guide, and the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF)
for their time and intellect invested in developing this guide.
I would like to specifically acknowledge Dr. H. Bohela Lunogelo and his
team of experts namely, Dr. Festus Limbu, Mrs. Margareth Nzuki, Mr. Mussa
M. Martine and Mr. Benedicto N. Mutalemwa for their commitment and
technical support that collectively resulted in the completion of this guide.
I am equally grateful for the exemplary support provided by the Ruvuma
Regional Administrative Secretary, Prof. Riziki S. Shemdoe, who efficiently and
effectively coordinated and guided Local Governments in the region during
the consultative processes and validation of the guide. It is not easy to mention
everyone, and therefore let me specifically extend my deep appreciation to
all individuals who contributed in one way or another towards making this
investment guide possible.
I take this opportunity to welcome you to invest in Ruvuma Region, and I
assure you of our continued support to make your investments productive
and grow for our mutual benefit.
Hon. Christina Mndeme
Regional Commissioner
Ruvuma Region, Tanzania
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | xiii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Ruvuma Region is the sixth largest region of Tanzania and covers an area
of 67,372 square kilometres (sq.km) of which about 5 percent is cultivated
and 2,979 sq.km or 4.7 percent is covered by water bodies. Ruvuma Region
is in the South-Western part of Tanzania. The Region experiences average
temperatures of 23°C and one long-rain season, ranging from 800 to 1,800
mm. The climate in Ruvuma Region is influenced by several factors, thus
resulting in the formation of distinctive climatic zones.
The agriculture sector engages about 75.8 percent of the people aged 10 years
and above in the region, and it contributes most of the region’s cash income
mainly from coffee, beans, maize, ground nuts, paddy, potatoes, tobacco,
cassava, sesame, millet, coconuts, cashew nuts, sorghum, fruits and sunflower
production. Trade and commerce is the second most important occupation
after agriculture, involving about 8.5 percent of the active population,
followed by mining and quarrying businesses sub-sectors (4.9 percent),
domestic services (3.3 percent); manufacturing (2.9 percent); raw food sales
(1.5 percent); fishing, hunting, and livestock (3.4 percent); and a relatively small
proportion engaged in communication and transport (0.7 percent).
Ruvuma Region’s population in 2018 was more than 1.56 million people,
of which 74.5 percent was rural based. The region is spatially strategically
located within the Mtwara Economic Growth Corridor that links the Indian
Ocean port of Mtwara with the Southern Highland regions, as well as with
neighbouring countries of Mozambique and Malawi.
The region is blessed with mineral deposits, river tributaries with waterfalls
suitable for hydropower generation, water of Lake Nyasa for fishing, travel
and tourism, fertile soil for crops and livestock grazing. These resource bases
provide ample opportunities for investments in production, processing and
other services. There is internal market and a potential market in neighbouring
countries.
The following investment opportunities have been prioritized at regional
level: land use surveys, mapping and titling; large-scale commercial mining of
coal, blue copper and gemstones; industries for packaging materials for both
xiv | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
primary and secondary processing industries; leather processing industry
(tanneries); and mini-hydro power generation projects.
At council level the following are the priority investment opportunities:
cereals processing, grading and packaging; oilseed (sunflower, sesame,
groundnuts) processing and packaging; soya bean farming and processing;
dairy farming and processing; livestock feeds processing industry; fruit and
vegetable processing and packaging; coffee farming and processing facilities;
expansion of cashew farming and processing; market structures; warehouses
for agricultural produce; modern boat building and lake transportation; deep
lake fishing, aquaculture and manufacturing of fish feeds; urban transport
system and services - bus stations and vehicle parking facilities; real estate
development for residential use and shopping malls; hotels/motels and
tourism facilities; sports and recreation facilities; specialised vocational
training on skills development; private health facilities; and private primary
and secondary schools.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | xv
DISCLAIMER
This Guidebook was published to provide potential investors with access to
essential information regarding investments and investing in Ruvuma Region.
The Guidebook does not in any way give exhaustive information or detailed
practical instructions, but it points out sources of other information in both
private and public sectors.
Most of or all information contained in this guidebook was derived from
consultations with regional and district government officials, the private
sector, and other agencies. Materials in this Guidebook should therefore be
used only for the intended purposes and not for defence in a legal dispute or
any matter of that nature.
xvi | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 1
PART ONE
REASONS FOR INVESTING IN
RUVUMA REGION
1.1 Ruvuma Region in the Broader Tanzanian Context
Ruvuma Region being part of Tanzania benefits from, and depends on the
country’s conducive investment and trade policies, political stability and wellprepared
development frameworks based on the National Development
Vision 2025. Tanzania, with its large and growing domestic population,
strategic location, abundance of natural resources and internal political
stability, presents a uniquely attractive investment opportunity. The country
has a population of about 55 million people and a population growth rate of
2.9 percent
Tanzania has abundant natural resources, including agricultural land, water
bodies such as lakes and rivers, springs, mineral resources, tourism attractions
including biodiversity and unique landscapes, such as Mount Kilimanjaro,
Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park, which attract tourists from
all over the world. In addition, its location on the East Coast of Africa gives
it a comparative advantage in providing trade and transport services to
neighbouring, landlocked countries. Several measures have been taken to
create a conducive business environment to encourage local and foreign
investment.
The country has created a stable and attractive macro- and micro-economic
climate with single-digit inflation; there are on-going reforms in fiscal and
monetary policy, and improvements in the business climate through legal
and regulatory reform aimed at streamlining procedures and freeing business
from unnecessary bureaucracy.
Tanzania has sustained an average rate of 6-7 percent economic growth since
the late 1990s due to a relatively stable political environment, reasonable
macro-economic policies, structural reforms, a resiliency from external shocks,
2 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
and debt relief. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently reported that
Tanzania’s macro-economic performance remains strong, economic growth
is projected at about 7 percent, and inflation is expected to remain close to
the Government of Tanzania’s (GoT) 5 percent target.
The Government recognises the role of the private sector (both local and
foreign) and other strategic partners as the engine of growth, poverty
reduction and the drivers of economic transformation. This important role
of the private sector has been further emphasised in the current FYDP II
by recognising that the realisation of the goals and targets of the FYDP II
hinges on among others, the effective participation of the private sector
in developing industries and enterprises that spur economic growth and
create jobs.
1.2 Investment Climate and Trade Policy in Tanzania
Since the liberalisation of the economy in the early 1990s, the Government
has recognised the role of the private sector (both local and foreign) as the
engine of growth and key drivers of economic transformation and poverty
eradication. This important role of the private sector has been further
emphasised in the current FYDP II, which has put some special emphasis
on, among others, effective participation of the private sector in developing
industries and enterprises that spur economic growth and create jobs.
The GoT uses the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Trade-related
Investment Measures (TRIMs) to encourage investments in line with
national priorities, and to attract and regulate foreign investment. Trade
development instruments that Tanzania has adopted include Export
Processing Zones (EPZs), Investment Code and Rules, Export Development/
Promotion and Export Facilitation. EPZs were established by the 2002 EPZ
Act and are open to both domestic and foreign investors, particularly in
agribusiness, textiles and electronics sectors.
The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) governs both EPZs and
Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The Government has encouraged both local
and foreign investors to take advantage of the investment opportunities
under EPZA for their benefits and for the benefit of the country. There are
three categories of licences issued by EPZA:
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 3
i) Developer’s Licence (for investment in infrastructure development,
including construction of industrial buildings and warehouses,
development of internal roads, landscaping and fencing and the
provision of utilities);
ii) Operator’s Licence (for investors who are undertaking manufacturing
operations, including manufacturing, processing breaking bulk, repackaging,
re-labelling and trading); and
iii) Service Provider’s Licence (for investors who are providing services and
utilities to EPZ and SEZ investors within the zone, including banking,
insurance and information technology).
EPZA also oversees incentive packages such as exemptions from corporate
tax and withholding tax on rent; dividends and interest; remission of customs
duty, value-added tax (VAT) and other taxes on raw materials and capital
goods; and exemption from VAT on utilities and levies imposed by local
authorities. In addition working permits for foreign staff can be obtained.
More information can be found on the website www.epza.go.tz and email
address is info@epza.go.tz.
The Special Economic Zones Act of 2006 authorised the establishment of
SEZs to encourage Greenfield investments in light industry, agro-processing
industry and agriculture. All the above factors, plus the country’s well
formulated development-cum-strategic frameworks, have contributed to
continuous real GDP growth of about 7 percent for over a decade and is a
member of what the World Bank (WB) has dubbed the “7 percent Club”, a
group of countries forecast to achieve 7 percent or more real GDP growth for
the next decade.
Investments in Tanzania are guaranteed against nationalisation and
expropriation through various agreements of protection and promotion of
investments, such as the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA),
of which Tanzania is a member. Tanzania also offers access to major markets
of the world, such as America (e.g. Africa Growth Opportunity Act [AGOA]);
Europe (e.g. Everything but Arms [EBA]); Asia (e.g. India); Middle East; and
China; all done through special bilateral trade and investment agreements
and arrangements.
4 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Tanzania is also a member of two major Regional Economic Communities
(RECs): The Southern African Development Community (SADC); and the East
African Community (EAC). Both RECs are growing stronger, and so investors
in Tanzania will have the advantage to access both domestic and regional
markets as well as the export markets in the European Union (EU), the United
States, the growing Asian economies of China and India, and in the Middle East,
to mention only the leading ones.
The domestic market is significant, given Tanzania’s population of more than 50
million people, growing at a rate of nearly three per cent (3 percent) per annum
as well as a growing middle class.
Generally, the following are among the reasons why one should invest in any
region of Tanzania, including Ruvuma:
 There is a high degree of investment security because of unparalleled
political stability that is strife-free without ethnic division, democratic
rule that respects diversity of opinion and a strong tradition of
constitution and rule of law;
 The country has maintained business-friendly macro-economic stability
with low inflation (around 5 percent),stable exchange rates supported
by unrestricted and unconditional transfers of profits, loan repayments,
emoluments, royalties, fees and charges;
 There is a commitment to ensuring simplified bureaucracy, streamlined
through the acclaimed services of the Tanzania Investment Centre,
which is a one-stop facilitation agency of Government serving registered
investors and businesses;
 The GoT is committed to, and has successfully undertaken economic
liberalisation measures commended by both the WB and IMF with
business-supportive legislation continually being improved through
genuine dialogue between the Government and the private sector;
 We have a well-balanced package of incentives to investors with
additional negotiated benefits to strategic investors;
 The economy is rapidly emerging as the most effective entry point and
gateway for trade into eastern, southern and central Africa;
 There are lucrative investment opportunities in infrastructure, and
value-adding facilities that are among the fastest growing segments of
the economy;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 5
 We are committed to ensuring investment guarantees and settlement
of disputes. Investments in Tanzania are guaranteed against political
risks, nationalisation and expropriation; and
 Any foreign business operating in Tanzania may obtain credit from
domestic financial institutions up to the limits established by the Bank
of Tanzania. Major Banks like Standard Chartered, Barclays, Citibank,
Stanbic, and Exim have invested in Tanzania. Among the banks with
branches in Ruvuma Region are CRDB Bank, National Micro-finance
Bank Ltd, National Bank of Commerce Ltd, and TPB Bank.
1.3 Reasons to Invest in Ruvuma Region
Ruvuma Region, historically regarded as one of the marginal regions, currently
has the minimum pre-requisites for setting up industries and thriving business
based on its geographical location and established infrastructural facilities
that are important for enabling industrial development as summarised
below:
a) Population and Natural Resources
Ruvuma Region had a population of more than 1.56 million people (in 20181),
of which 74.5 percent is rural based and 25.5 percent resides in urban centres.
The Region is strategically located within the Mtwara-Lindi Economic Growth
Corridor linking the Indian Ocean port of Mtwara with the Southern Highland
regions of Njombe, Songwe and Mbeya (within Tanzania) and neighbouring
countries of Mozambique (separated by Ruvuma River) and Malawi (separated
by Lake Nyasa).
The Region is blessed: with fertile soil for crops and livestock grazing; mineral
deposits (such as uranium, gold, coal and gemstones); river tributaries with
waterfalls suitable for hydropower generation that feed into Ruvuma river;
and water of Lake Nyasa for fishing, travel and tourism. These resource bases
provide ample opportunities for investments in production, processing and
other services. Investors need not worry about markets because, in addition to
the internal market with a relatively good purchase power compared to other
regions, there are potential markets within neighboring countries and regions.
1 Based on extrapolation from the National Bureau of Statistics of 2012 census figures (at an annual
average growth rate of 2.1 percent)
6 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
b) Economic Strength of Ruvuma Region
According to 2016 GDP estimates, Ruvuma Region was among the top eleven
regions with the highest contribution to national GDP. However, in terms
of GDP per capita, the region ranked fourth after Dar-es-salaam, Iringa and
Arusha2. The Region draws its strength from its agricultural sector, currently
dominated by subsistence type of farming, which provides an opportunity
for modernisation and commercialisation of the sector.
There are also plenty of opportunities to invest in new and existing agroprocessing
and manufacturing industries, given that 96 percent of them are
small-scale establishments (more than 207) with possibilities to upgrade to
medium and large-scale industries. Currently, there are only 19 medium-scale
industries, most of which are in Songea Municipality and Mbinga TC. Newly
established factories include two maize milling factories (one still under
construction) in Songea MC and a water bottling plant at Mbinga TC.
c) Infrastructural Services in Ruvuma Region
i. Electricity and Water Supply
A breakthrough in ensuring low-cost and stable supply of electricity
happened in September 2018 when a 220 KV power system linking Ruvuma
Region to the national power grid via Makambako Town in Njombe Region
was installed and put to use. This should allow the construction of high
electric powered factories in the region. On other hand, Ruvuma Region has
more than ten waterfalls suitable for installation of mini hydropower plants
than can supply power to the national grid as well.
ii. Surface Transportation System
Travelling by road from Mbamba Bay to Mbinga and Songea, one has two
options of reaching Dar-es-salaam: an eastbound route from Songea goes
through Namtumbo and Tunduru within the region, and then to Nanyumbu,
Masasi, Lindi, Mkuranga and Dar-es-salaam. A westbound road goes through
Madaba (within Ruvuma Region) before proceeding to Njombe, Makambako,
Iringa, Morogoro and Dar-es-salaam. At Makambako, there is dual transport
system of roads and railways that can take goods to neighbouring Malawi
2 URT, 2016: table 2.7
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 7
and Zambia through Mbeya Region. Passengers and goods to Dar-es-salaam
from Makambako pass through Mang’ula, Kidatu and Yombo.
iii. Water Transportation System
The Government has also invested in water transportation systems by
rehabilitating ports and buying new and larger vessels for transporting
passengers and cargo. A new cargo vessel with a higher cargo capacity and
velocity was inaugurated in mid-2018, while another vessel for passengers
was expected to be commissioned by early 2019.
The Government has plans to build stable bridges to link Ruvuma Region
and neighbouring country of Mozambique at different points, starting with
construction of a connecting bridge between Lukumbule and Mkenda,
which are currently the most popular crossing.
iv. Air Transport System
Songea Airport receives domestic flights
that are linked to international flights at
Songwe Airport (30 minutes) and Dares-
salaam (90 minutes). Renovations at
Songea Airport to allow landing of larger
aircrafts started in 2018. It is expected that
the expanded airport will attract more air
transport companies, in addition to Air
Tanzania and Auric Air to connect flights
from all over East Africa and the world.
v. Radio and Telephone Communication
Radio and television stations with national and international coverage are
accessible in all the districts especially after Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation
(TBC) investing in booster stations to reach out to Nyasa and Tunduru LGAs
that had some parts unreachable. Some community radio stations also
operate in the region. Mobile telephone companies have also invested
heavily to connect towns and villages, although there are opportunities to
expand outreach to some remote and hilly villages in Nyasa District.
8 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Map1: Ruvuma Region’s connections with other parts of Tanzania
and the whole Africa3
d) Commitments by Central Government and Ruvuma Regional
Administration
The Government will continue to improve provision of basic enablers of
investments such as land, utilities, and infrastructure, developed using
sector and district budgets, as well as financial and technical support from
Development Partners (DPs). The Government will further support the private
sector by enacting some enabling policies and laws so that they do not
hesitate and nor face hitches while investing in production, transportation,
storage, processing and marketing of the products, and in the development
of various commodity value chains as listed in Section 3 of this guide.
The Ruvuma Regional Commissioner’s Office established an “Investments
Promotion Unit-IPU” as a special department to coordinate and facilitate
investments at regional and district levels to work closely with the TIC zone
3 Map provided by Ruvuma Region’s TANROADS office
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 9
office. It is noteworthy that while it is possible to obtain some documents within
one to three working days4, there are some certificates, by their nature, which
take some time and expertise to complete. These include Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) certificates by the National Environment Management Council
(NEMC) and Food Safety Certificates by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).
Investors are therefore advised to take that factor into account while planning
to start projects in the region.
Figure 1: Commitments by Central Government, Ruvuma Regional
Administration, and Local Government Authorities to provide
Enabling Environment for Investors
e) Policy and Legal Arrangements
It is important to note that all sector policies and laws governing the conduct
of stakeholders and their businesses in the country are pan-territorial and
therefore applicable to all parts of the country once they are endorsed by
Cabinet and/or legislated by the National Assembly of the United Republic
4 Tax Identification Number (TIN) and Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) by TRA, company registration
certificate by Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) and Business License (by LGA)
Investment policies supported by Tanzania
Investment Centre (TIC)
Taxation Policies supported by Tanzania Revenue
Authority (TRA)
Environmental Certification supported by National
Environmental Management Council (NEMC)
Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industries
and Agriculture (TCCIA) under the Tanzania
Private Sector Foundation (TPSF)
Local Government Reform Programme
Decentrailisation by Devolution (D-by-D)
Land: allocation of land for industrial parks
Energy: Connection to main grid electricity
Water: improved water connections
Roads: all districts connected with tarmac road
when Mbinga-Mbamba Bay road is completed
mid 2019,
Communication is well served by national fibre
optic cable network, mobile phones
10 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
of Tanzania. The most popular policies and laws for both foreign and local
investors are those governing access to land (under general land and village
land laws), provision of special tax incentives and profit repatriation schemes
under the Tanzania Investment Centre and the EPZA.
Among the most recent (August 2018) improvements made in simplifying
the process of opening business in Tanzania is the modification to
undertaking and obtaining an environmental impact assessment
certificate. Prospective developers will now be issued with temporary
certificates based on some preliminary assessment reports by stakeholders
at the LGAs level to allow them to precede parallel with the process of
development, subject to more detailed assessments that will contain some
required mitigation measures.
f) Institutional Arrangements for Private Sector Engagements with
Government
Inclusiveness and participation of the private sector in Ruvuma Region is
normally conducted through various platforms that bring together different
stakeholders. These include regional and district chapters of TCCIA and the
local chapter of Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC) co-chaired by
district or regional commissioners and Chairman of the Tanzania Private
Sector Foundation (represented by TCCIA at the district level).
1.4 Suggested Priority Investment Areas in Ruvuma Region
1.4.1 Main Areas of Investment
There are six main areas of investment opportunities in the region as shown
in Part 3 of this report:
i) Establishment of industrial and agricultural investment parks: This
will primarily involve Government collaborating with the private sector
in identifying land and establishment of ordinary investments parks for
industries or more advanced parks registered as SEZs and EPZs. This is
regarded as a better option for investors compared to negotiating with
and compensating individual land owners, which usually lack some
basic infrastructural facilities;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 11
ii) Agro-processing: Adding value on mainly primary commodities
produced within the region such as maize, coffee, cashew, soya beans,
meat, hides and skins, and forest;
iii) Commercial agriculture: For agro-processing to thrive, it will be
important to invest in enhancing productivity to increase quantities and
quality of raw materials needed by agro-processing industries;
iv) Natural resources beneficiation: Adding value to minerals and timber
is an opportunity that is backed by recent Government directive to add
value to minerals and forest products before exportation;
v) Service sector: Includes services in hotels and tourism, banking,
modern markets and malls, warehouses, real estate development and
land surveying and mapping; and
vi) Capacity building: This includes investments in the education sector,
health sector, and vocational training centres.
1.4.2 Regional Level Priority Investment Opportunities
Investors are welcome to invest in the following suggested priority investment
areas:
1. Land use surveys, mapping and titling;
2. Large-scale commercial mining of coal, blue copper and gemstones;
3. Industries for packaging materials for both primary and secondary
processing industries;
4. Leather processing industry (tanneries); and
5. Mini hydropower generation projects.
1.4.3 Council Level Priority Investment Opportunities
Investors are welcome to invest in the following suggested priority investment
areas:
1. Cereals processing, grading and packaging;
2. Oilseed (sunflower, sesame, groundnuts) processing and packaging;
3. Soya bean farming and processing;
4. Dairy farming and processing;
5. Livestock feeds processing industry;
6. Fruit and vegetable processing and packaging;
7. Coffee farming and processing facilities;
8. Expansion of cashew farming and processing;
12 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
9. Market structures;
10. Warehouses for agricultural produce;
11. Modern boat building and lake transportation;
12. Lake Fisheries, Aquaculture, Hatcheries and Fish Feeds;
13. Urban Transport System and Services: Bus Stations and Vehicle Parking
Facilities;
14. Real estate development for residential use and shopping malls;
15. Hotels/motels and tourism facilities;
16. Sports recreation facilities;
17. Specialised vocational training on skills development;
18. Private health facilities; and
19. Private primary and secondary schools.
1.5 The Guide’s Target Groups
Making decisions by prospective investors on where and which sector to
invest requires adequate information, and so is the ability by public officials
to provide correct information on investment opportunities to investors. The
main targets for this guide are therefore national and international prospective
investors interested in starting new businesses or acquiring existing ones in
various sectors; investors resident within the region with businesses and seek
to either expand their current operations or venture into new businesses;
and Government Ministries responsible for facilitating business owners.
Specifically, the following are the beneficiaries of the guide:
 Investors, business owners and stakeholders, agricultural crop estates
and medium-to-large farms and value adding and marketing entities
intending to invest in Ruvuma designated industry and business areas;
 Ministry of Trade, Industries and Investment;
 Primary stakeholders across value chains, including individual entrepreneurs,
importers and exporters of input and output factors, and agriculture crops
and livestock keepers and fisher folks,
 Government ministries, agencies, LGAs, EPZA, and State-Owned
Enterprises (SOE) (e.g. those responsible for agriculture, industries, trade,
finance, and international cooperation);
 Academia/researchers in the Southern Zone and in Tanzania;
 Umbrella organisations such as the National Business Council, TCCIA
and pension funds investing in agriculture and industries, and other
support institutions;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 13
 Institutions overseeing the management of quality and safety
management issues, such as TBS;
 Organisations providing productive capacities, information and data,
monitoring and evaluation, and other business support services, such
as BRELA, TRA, Fair Competition Commission (FCC), National Economic
Empowerment Council (NEEC), Tanzania Trade Development Authority
(TANTRADE), Industry Support Organisations (ISOs), and providers of
agricultural and industrial extension services providers; and
 Selected Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-Government
Organisations (NGOs); and DPs, such as Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO), UNDP, WB, United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD), International Trade Centre (ITC), EU, United
Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and TradeMark
East Africa (TMEA).
14 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
PART TWO
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF
RUVUMA REGION
2.1 Introduction
This part highlights geographical location, surface area, population,
administrative units, topography and land use patterns, agro ecological
zones, climate, socio-economic context and productive sectors of Ruvuma
Region.
2.2 Geographic Location
Ruvuma Region is in the South-Western part of Tanzania, below the Equator
and between Latitudes 9035’ to 11045’ South of the Equator. Longitudinally
the region is situated between Longitudes 34035’ to 38010’ East of the
Greenwich.
The Region shares borders with four regions: Mtwara on the East, Lindi on the
North-East, Morogoro on the North, and Njombe on the North-West. On the
West it borders Lake Nyasa; shared with Malawi, and River Ruvuma; shared
with Mozambique which occupies the Southern border of the region.
2.3 Land Area and Administrative Units
Ruvuma is the sixth largest region of Tanzania and covers an area of 67,372
sq.km of which about 5 percent is cultivated and 2,979 sq.km or 4.7 percent
is covered by water bodies of Lake Nyasa, and rivers like Ruvuma, Njuga,
Ngembambili, Lukimwa, Luegu, Luhuji, Mbarang’angu, Lutukira and Ruhuhu.
The remaining 63,498 sq.km is land area.
Of the eight LGAs, Namtumbo has the largest surface area (20,370 sq.km),
while the smallest is Songea MC with only 394 sq.km.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 15
Figure 2: Ruvuma Region: Distribution of Surface Area by Council in 2015
Source: Ruvuma Regional Commissioner’s Office, 2017 - Table 1.1 (draft report)
In 2018 there were 554 villages, 173 administrative wards, 95 mitaa (equivalent
to village in towns and municipalities) and 283,332 households. Mbinga DC
and Tunduru DC have the largest number of villages (121 and 157 villages,
respectively), compared to Mbinga TC and Madaba DC with 49 and 21
villages respectively, while Songea DC has 56 villages. Namtumbo DC has
larger family sizes compared to other LGAs as shown in figure 3.
Figure 3: Average Household Size by Councils in Ruvuma Region, 2012 Census
Source: NBS, Ruvuma Region Profile, 2012 Population Census.
Note: Madaba DC was part of Songea District and Mbinga TC was part of Mbinga DC.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ruvuma Region Investment Guide (2019)
11
2.3 Land Area and Administrative Units
Ruvuma is the sixth largest region of Tanzania and covers an area of 67,372 sq.km of which about 5 percent is
cultivated a nd 2,979 s q.km or 4.7 percent is covered b y w ater b odies of Lake N yasa, a nd r ivers l ike R uvuma,
Njuga, Ngembambili, Lukimwa, Luegu, Luhuji, Mbarang’angu, Lutukira and Ruhuhu. The remaining 63,498 sq.km
is land area. Of the eight Local Government Authorities (LGAs), Namtumbo has the largest surface area (20,370
sq.km), and the smallest is Songea Municipal Council (394 sq.km).
Figure 2: Ruvuma Region: Distribution of Surface Area by Council in 2015
Source: Ruvuma Regional Commissioner’s Office, 2017-table 1.1 (draft report)
In 2018 there were 173 administrative wards, 554 villages, 95 mitaa (equivalent to village in towns and
municipalities) and 283,332 households. Mbinga District Council and Tunduru District Council have the largest
Namtumbo DC
30%
Tunduru DC
27%
Songea DC
15%
Nyasa
DC
10%
Madaba DC
10%
Mbinga DC
5%
Mbinga TC
2%
Songea MC
1%
16 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
2.4 Climatic Conditions, Topography and Agro-Ecological
Zones
2.4.1 Climate and Topography
The Region experiences one long rainfall season, ranging from 800mm to
1,800 mm, which begins in November and ends in May each year. The quantity
of rain varies from one district to another, with Mbinga District recording
the highest total annual rainfall of 1,225 mm while Tunduru District gets the
lowest rainfall, which is normally less than 900 mm per annum. The climate
in Ruvuma Region is influenced by several factors resulting in the formation
of three distinctive climatic zones: Highlands Zone, the Midlands Zone and
the Lowlands Zone. Average temperature is 23°C depending on altitude and
season, and it can drop to 13°C from June to August, particularly in Matengo
Highlands in Mbinga District. October and November are the hottest months,
with an average temperature of 30°C. The Region is characterised by highlands,
small mountain peaks, moderate hills, gentle plains and plateaus.
2.4.2 Agro-Ecological Zones
Ruvuma Region has three distinctive agro-ecological zones as summarised
below:
a) The Highlands Zone (Matengo Highlands and Songea Plateau)
The zone lies to the North
of Western Songea, and
Central Songea, and it
includes the Northern part
of Undendeule Division and
much of Hanga Division,
the North-Western part
of the Tunduru District
and includes almost all of
Matemanga Division. It
covers Longiro, Litembo
and Ndengu, Western Myangayanga and parts of Southern Kigonsera and
Mperamba. It also covers Ubena Highlands located in the extreme North of
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 17
Songea District bordering Njombe Region. It is characterised by moderately
high rainfall with annual mean precipitation ranging from 1,000 mm to
1,500 mm concentrated in a single season from November through April or
sometimes May. The rainy season is followed by a dry and cold season from
June to September.
The zone is generally mountainous with plains dissected by many seasonal
streams. The soils are dark brown to reddish brown clay loams and clay sandy
loams, dark greyish brown loamy sands somewhat darker in colour in the
western part of the zone than in the east, with medium fertility and highwater
holding capacity. Crops grown are mainly maize, finger millet, beans,
cassava and sorghum. Cash crops like groundnuts, tobacco, sunflower and
coffee are also grown here. Livestock keeping is practised in areas free of
tsetse flies. Bee keeping is also a major activity, normally practised as a side
activity after crop planting. As expected, people bordering Lake Nyasa are
engaged in fishing and boat making as a source of livelihood.
b) The Midlands Zone
The zone includes Lower
Matengo area, which covers Tingi
Division, most of Liperamba and
eastern parts of Myangayanga
and Kigonsera. It extends from
the Mbinga border to just east
of Songea District and includes
Northern Ruvuma Division and
parts of Msindo and Wabaki Divisions. It also includes the area east of Songea
District, including Luegu Division and adjoining parts of Msindo, Ligera
Wabaki, Likuyu Divisions and Namtumbo District, the north-western part of
Tunduru District and includes almost all Matemanga Division.
This is a very hilly area whose altitude ranges between 800 – 1500 m and has
an average annual rainfall of 1100 - 1300 mm. Soils are deep, dark reddish
brown to red sandy clay loams, while vegetation is dominated by woodlands.
Crops grown include tobacco, maize, cassava, beans, sesame and finger
millet. Livestock keeping includes few cattle, goats, sheep, pig and poultry.
Honey collection is also important.
18 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
c) The Lowlands Zone
The zone includes Mitomoni,
which is a very small zone in the
extreme south east of Mbinga
District, comprising the south
eastern part of Liperamba
Division. It extends to a small
zone in the eastern part of
Tunduru District bordering
Masasi District. It covers that
part of Mlingoti Division east of
Nakapanya Village. The zone is predominantly undulating, flat and broken by
occasional small hills and has a fair rainfall regime ranging between 600 and
1,000 mm annually.
This zone has an altitude of 600 to 900 meters above mean sea level, and it
covers the low lying Northern and Eastern parts of the Tunduru Plains and
South-Eastern of Songea DC along the Ruvuma River. The zone also covers the
Songea Depression and the Mbinga Plains in Mbinga DC, and temperatures
vary between 26°C and 30°C. The lowlands are dominated by greyish brown
loamy sands and reddish-brown clay loams, which have low fertile and low
water holding capacity.
There is considerable soil erosion. Rainfall ranges between 900 and 1,200
mm per annum. The zone is suitable for growing crops like maize, sorghum,
cashew, coconut, bananas, beans and finger millet, and is moderately infested
by tsetse flies and hence not suitable for livestock keeping. Bee keeping,
fishing and lumbering of hard wood are other economic activities practised
in this zone. There is also a nice and appealing scenery at Matongolo Hills
view for tourism.
2.5 Regional Economy
According to the 2012 Population and Housing Census, the agriculture sector
in the region engages about 75.8 percent of the population aged 10 years
and above and it contributes most of the region’s cash income mainly from
coffee, beans, maize, ground nuts, paddy, potatoes, tobacco, cassava, sesame,
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 19
millet, coconuts, cashew nuts, sorghum, fruits and sunflower production.
Trade and commerce is the second most important occupation after
agriculture, involving about 7.5 percent of active population, followed by
mining and quarrying businesses sub-sectors (2.9 percent); domestic services
(2.2 percent); manufacturing (1.7 percent); raw food sales (1.5 percent);
fishing, hunting, and livestock (1.4 percent); and a relatively small proportion
engaged in communication and transport (0.1 percent). In terms of income
sources, most of it is derived from crop sales as shown in the figure below.
Figure 4: Percentage Distribution of Households by Main Source of
Income in Ruvuma Region
Source: Ruvuma Region Socio-economic profile (draft report - 2017)
The 2015 National Accounts of Tanzania new series data shows that Ruvuma
Region’s GDP has been increasing steadily from TZS 1.6 million in 2010 to TZS
2.3 million in 2012 and reached TZS 3.0 million in 2014 before reaching TZS
3.5 million in 2015. The economy therefore grew by 119 percent in five years
between 2010 and 2015, thus growing at an average of 23.8 percent per year,
which is significantly higher than the national average growth rate.
In the Tanzania Mainland economy, Ruvuma Region ranked fourth in GDP
per capita in current prices in both years. Its per capita GDP increased from
TZS 1.7 million in 2012 to TZS 2.4 million in 2015. It was surpassed by Dar-essalaam
(leading), Iringa (second) and Arusha (third).
Page 19: Pie Chart: Better linking/description of the household income distribution with the given chart. Or replacement of said chart.
Page 23: Pie chart; Percentages for ground nuts, Sunflower and soya beans where the chart description (last sentence before the pie chart).
75.8%
7.5%
2.9%
2.2%
1.7% 1.5%
1.4% 0.1% 6.9%
Percentage Distribution of Households by
Main Source of Income
in Ruvuma Region
Agriculture sector
Trade and Commerce
Mining and Quarrying
Domestic services
Manufacturing
Raw food sales
Fishing, hunting, and livestock
Communication and Transport
Other
Sunflower
2.9%
Coffee
8.8%
Sesame
14.1%
Pigeon Peas
16.6%
Pie Chart: Better linking/description of the household income distribution that aligns
given chart. Or replacement of said chart.
Pie chart; Percentages for ground nuts, Sunflower and soya beans where not listed in
description (last sentence before the pie chart).
75.8%
7.5%
2.2%
1.5%
1.4% 0.1% 6.9%
Percentage Distribution of Households by
Main Source of Income
in Ruvuma Region
Agriculture sector
Trade and Commerce
Mining and Quarrying
Domestic services
Manufacturing
Raw food sales
Fishing, hunting, and livestock
Communication and Transport
Other
Sunflower
2.9%
Coffee
8.8%
Sesame
14.1%
Pigeon Peas
16.6%
20 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Expected early successes in solving challenges in provision of public
goods
The Government has made some strides in improving public goods (roads,
electricity, water, public health, etc) that facilitate economic development in
the region.
Map 2: Comparison of Electricity Connectivity in the Regions of Tanzania
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 21
Among the areas that the GoT has given high priority in order to facilitate
industrialisation include: (i) Provision of adequate electricity to all regional
and district headquarters by connecting them to the national electricity grid
(see Map 2). The supply of power to the grid will be increased and stabilised
after connecting to the gas-to-electricity turbines in Dar-es-salaam and
Mtwara and linking the country’s power system (including Ruvuma Region)
to the Southern Africa Power Pool. Parallel to this, there is a boost in financing
rural energy supply after introducing a special tax on fuel and mobile phone
usage; (ii) Completion of urban water supply by drawing water from river
sources; and (iii) Improved road network involving district-to-district and
district-regional headquarters for the whole country, currently constructing
the road linking Mbinga with Mbamba Bay Port in Nyasa DC.
The regional administration appreciated that it has the responsibility of
ensuring improved power, water supply and road network infrastructure with
support from the Central Government. It will continue to make necessary
follow-ups to ensure that implementation of these programmes takes place
within the agreed timeframe once budgets are released. Meanwhile, as
it will be indicated below, companies are invited to invest in hydro-power
generation using the many waterfalls along several rivers that feed into River
Ruvuma.
2.6 Productive Sectors
2.6.1 Agriculture Sector
One of the general characteristics of agriculture in the region is the dominance
of subsistence farming undertaken by smallholder peasants. The use of
improved seeds and application of fertilisers among smallholder farmers is
relatively higher compared to other regions, which explains the reported
large amount of marketed annual crops (mostly maize, sunflower and soya
beans) and perennial commodities such as coffee (mostly grown in Mbinga
District) and cashew nuts (mostly in Tunduru and Namtumbo).
However, most of the land area is cultivated without application of yield
boosting inputs and therefore there is still an opportunity to enhance farm
productivity without area expansion.
22 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
a) Food crops
Maize is the predominant
crop, occupying 61 percent of
the planted area, followed by
cassava (19 percent), paddy (15
percent) and beans (5 percent).
LGAs differ in their suitability for
production of crops: Songea DC
has the largest share of maize
planted area (28.9 percent),
followed by Mbinga DC (23.7
percent), Namtumbo DC (12.6
percent) and Madaba DC (10.3 percent). Interestingly, although Tunduru DC
cultivates only 4.3 percent of area under maize, it contributes 13.5 percent
of maize produced. Of course, Songea DC still leads in production, with an
annual average of 119,640 metric tonnes (28.7 percent), followed by Mbinga
DC, with production of 86,751 metric tonnes (20.8 percent) and Tunduru with
56,408 metric tonnes (13.5 percent). Namtumbo DC appears to have the
lowest productivity because, although it has 12.6 percent of planted maize
area, its contribution to total regional production is only 8.4 percent.
Other equally important crops for both food and cash are cassava, which is mostly
produced in Namtumbo DC (40 percent), Nyasa DC (24.8 percent), Tunduru DC
(18.3 percent) and Songea DC (12.6 percent). Paddy is cultivated in four LGAs,
namely Namtumbo DC (53 percent), Tunduru DC (24.9 percent) and Nyasa DC
(11.2 percent).
S i m i l a r l y ,
beans are
predominantly
produced in
Madaba DC
(63.9 percent),
Songea DC (24.2
percent), Songea
MC (7.1 percent),
and Namtumbo
DC (4.7 percent).
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 23
b) Cash crops
Between 2011 and 2015 the Region managed to dedicate an annual average
of 70,806 ha (equivalent to 22.7 percent of the Region’s total land area) for
cash crops. The leading crop is sesame with 16,072 ha (or 22.7 percent). It
was followed by pigeon peas (13,432 ha, 19.0 percent), coffee (10,037 ha, 14.2
percent), soya beans (9,904 ha, 14.0 percent), tobacco (7,045 ha, 9.9 percent),
sunflower (6,765 ha, 9.6 percent), cashew nuts (5,643 ha, 8.0 percent) and
groundnuts (1,908 ha, 2.7 percent). However, in terms of production volume, the
leading crop was tobacco (37.9 percent), followed by pigeon peas (16.6 percent),
sesame (14.1 percent), cashew nuts (13 percent), coffee (8.8 percent), soya beans
(4.4 percent), sunflower (2.9 percent), and ground nuts (2.3 percent).
Figure 5: Percentage of Average Production of Major Cash Crops
(average for years 2011 – 2015)
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Agriculture
Departments), 2016
c) Horticultural crops
Ginger production has gained popularity in recent years, accompanied
with some small-scale processing although the bulk of it is sold in raw form.
Tomatoes and other vegetables are grown along river valleys.
Page 23: Pie chart; Percentages for ground nuts, Sunflower and soya beans where not listed in
the chart description (last sentence before the pie chart).
75.8%
7.5%
2.9%
2.2%
1.7% 1.5%
1.4% 0.1% 6.9%
Percentage Distribution of Households by
Main Source of Income
in Ruvuma Region
Agriculture sector
Trade and Commerce
Mining and Quarrying
Domestic services
Manufacturing
Raw food sales
Fishing, hunting, and livestock
Communication and Transport
Other
Sunflower
2.9%
Coffee
8.8%
Tobacco
37.9%
Cashewnut
13.0%
Soya beans
4.4%
Ground nuts
2.3%
Sesame
14.1%
Pigeon Peas
16.6%
24 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
d) Irrigated agriculture
The region has about 197,108.2
ha suitable for irrigated farming;
however, during the 2015 season, only
7,385.3 ha (equivalent to 3.7 percent)
was utilised. The largest irrigated
area is reported to be in Songea DC
(34.3 per cent) followed by Nyasa DC
(25.4 per cent) and Tunduru DC (17.3
percent). The smallest area under
irrigated agriculture is in Madaba DC (3.7 percent). Major crops irrigated were
paddy, horticultural crops, maize and sweet potatoes. There is an opportunity
to invest in improved irrigation methods to ensure double to triple cropping
systems from the irrigated land. Songea DC for example, has 40468.6 ha at
Magwamila suitable for sugarcane-irrigated farming.
2.6.2 Livestock
Over the period between 2008 and 2012, there was an increase in the number
of cattle by 517.1 per cent and of sheep by 25.8 percent. Goats represented
the largest number of livestock in the region (272,147), followed by pigs
(222,420), cattle (177,041), sheep (30,625) and donkeys (997), as shown in
Figure 6 below.
Figure 6: Population Distribution of Cattle by Council, Ruvuma Region 2015
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Livestock Departments), 2016
Population Distribution of Cattle by Council, Ruvuma Region 2015
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Livestock Departments), 2016
District Council accounted for 33.3 percent of the region’s total cattle population, followed Council (20.8 percent) and Songea District Council (13.7 percent), whereas Songea Municipal share (2.5 percent). It is estimated that land fit for
4.5% Madaba
20.8%
Mbinga DC
3.8%
Mbinga TC
8.8%
Namtumbo
12.6% Nyasa
13.7%
Songea DC
2.5%
Songea MC
33.3%
Tunduru
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 25
Tunduru DC accounted for 33.3
percent of the region’s total cattle
population, followed by Mbinga
DC (20.8 percent) and Songea DC
(13.7 percent), whereas Songea
MC had the smallest share (2.5
percent).
It is estimated that land fit for
livestock grazing in the region
was 181,700 ha, out of which
about 80,600 ha (44.4 percent) was utilised. In terms of livestock health
facilities, there were 48 cattle dips in 2015, out which only 16 dips were
functional.
All except one of the 13 veterinary centres were working as of 2015. There is
an obvious potential to invest in cattle health facilities in Mbinga DC because
neither dips nor veterinary centres were operational in 2015. This is in contrast
with Songea MC where all 12 veterinary centres were fully functional. Only
about 68 cattle deaths were reported in 2015 caused by three diseases:
pneumonia (39), worms (14), and East Coast Fever (ECF) (15).
This implies the region is a relatively safe zone for livestock (cattle) keeping.
However, more care is needed in goat keeping, since 321 animals died in
2015 due to Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCP).
Livestock keeping is good business because the value of sold livestock
increased from about TZS 1.5 billion in 2013 to TZS 7.8 billion in 2015,
dominated by sales of indigenous cattle (85 percent) and goats (12.3 percent).
There is an opportunity to increase the share of sales value and numbers of
poultry and pigs. For hides and skins, the number of units marketed increased
from 31,044 pieces in 2014 (valued at TZS 203,338,200) to 43,020 pieces in
2015 (valued at TZS 259,840,800).
Although milk production in the region decreased from 40,891 litres in 2014
to 37,738 litres in 2015, revenue collected increased from TZS 40.7 million in
2014 to TZS 48.6 million in 2015 due to improved market price from TZS 1,000
to 1,300 per litre of milk.
26 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Table 1: Ruvuma Region: Number of Livestock Marketed in 2015
Type of Livestock Sold
Number of
pieces sold
Value in TZS
Proportion
(percent)
Indigenous Cattle 14,881 6,696,450,000 85.0
Dairy Cattle 304 136,800,045 1.7
Beef Cattle 0 0 0.0
Goats 21,529 968,805,000 12.3
Poultry 366,345 14,520,000 0.2
Pig 17,998 45,040,240 0.6
Sheep 225 20,400,000 0.3
Total 421,282 7,882,015,285 100
Source: Ruvuma RS (2017) (draft), Table 14
2.6.3 Forestry
In 2015, Ruvuma Region had a total of 1,283,870 ha of natural forest reserves,
which is equivalent to 20.0 percent of the region’s total land area of 6,476,400
ha. Namtumbo DC had the largest area (540,036.6 ha) of natural forest reserves
followed by Tunduru DC (323,125 ha), while Songea MC had the smallest area
(7,632 ha) under forest reserves. These forests provide opportunities for bee
keeping, as well as for timber harvesting.
Over the period between 2011 and 2015, there were a total of 38,075
traditional beehives, most of which were in Madaba DC (16,708 beehives,
43.9 percent), Namtumbo DC (8,950 beehives, 23.5 percent) and Mbinga DC
(6,213 beehives, 16.3 percent). Mbinga TC had the least number of traditional
beehives (576 beehives, 1.5 percent).
2.6.4 Fisheries
Fishing activities are mainly carried out in Lake Nyasa, covering an area of 2,979
square kilometres. Minor fishing in the waters of Ruhuhu, Ruhuji, Lukimwa,
Ruvuma, Mwambesi, Nampungu and Muhuwesi rivers also do contribute
substantial amount of fish. In 2015 the region issued 3,345 fishing licences,
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 27
4,662 registered
fishermen, 1,761
registered fishing
vessels and 675
unregistered fishing
vessels. A total of
265,629 million
tonnes of fish were
harvested, valued
at TZS 649,602,500,
mostly undertaken
in Nyasa DC although some fishing and selling is also done at low levels in
Songea DC and Namtumbo DC from Ruvuma, Luwegu and Londo rivers as
well as natural dams. One of the areas that require some investment is that of
making modern boats.
2.6.5 Nature and Tourism
Ruvuma Region is a land of wonders, holding an unparalleled diversity of
fauna, flora and many
natural features, most
of which have not
been used to attract
tourism business. These
wonders include rocks,
scenery, topography
and very friendly
people, Mbamba Bay
Port, undeveloped
cultural tourism
beach holidays, game
hunting, infrastructure
ventures, historical and
archaeological ventures and certainly the best wildlife photographic safaris
on the continent.
Each LGA has identified special sites for tourists, such as the Majimaji
Museum and German historical buildings (boma) at Songea MC. The region
28 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
has one national park (Selous) and five game-controlled areas, namely
Muhuwesi, Undendeule, Mwambesi, Litumbandyosi and Liparamba,
whereby Muhuwesi and Mwambesi are in Tunduru DC, while Undendeule
is in Namtumbo DC.
There are limited developments in hotel accommodation, but most of them
are restricted to Songea Municipality.
2.6.6 Mining Sector
Various gemstones, coal, uranium, gold and diamond have been reported
to exist, especially in the southern most end of the region. The mineral
deposits are spread as follows: gold is mostly believed to be available
along Muhuwesi River in Tunduru DC; coal is known to exist in the five
basins of Ngaka, Muhukuru, Mbamba-Bay, Njuga and Lumecha; and
Namtumbo DC is uniquely rich with uranium deposits. Likewise, building
materials like rocks, stones, gravel, sand, murals and clays are also available
in the region.
2.6.7 Industrial Development
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the grouping of
enterprises as Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and large is
based on the criteria of capital outlay and number of people employed:
micro industries are those employing less than 5 people and with capital of
less than TZS 5 million; small-scale industries are those with capital of more
than TZS 5 million but less than TZS 200 million and employing less than
50 people; medium-scale industries are those with capital of more than
TZS 200 million but less than TZS 800 million and employing less than 100
people; and large-scale industries are those with capital of more than TZS
800 million and employing more than 100 people.
In 2015 there were 5,263 small-scale industries, of which 49.9 percent were
in grain milling, mostly maize and paddy. Carpentry industries were next
(28.8 percent), followed by welding (7.6 percent) and tailoring (6.6 percent).
There were only 8 sunflower oil-processing industries (0.2 percent).
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 29
Table 2: Type of Industries by Council, Ruvuma Region in 2015
Council
Oilseed
processing
industry
Garage
Carpentry
Cereals Milling
machines
Food Processing
Welding
Tailoring
Timber
processing
Total Industries
Percent
Mbinga DC 3 2 77 858 25 283 30 9 1248 23.7
Nyasa DC 0 7 293 512 7 15 59 49 1171 22.2
Tunduru DC 1 80 582 324 3 29 28 45 1073 20.4
Namtumbo DC 0 25 345 383 2 9 70 12 832 15.8
Mbinga TC 1 4 71 233 13 7 37 25 357 6.8
Songea DC 1 1 37 128 2 19 32 26 214 4.1
Songea MC 1 5 69 72 8 37 89 30 226 4.3
Madaba 1 2 43 87 4 3 22 6 142 2.7
Total 8 126 1,517 2,625 34 402 349 202 5,263 100.0
Percent 0.3 2.4 28.8 49.9 0.6 7.6 6.6 3.8 100.0
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Trade and Industry
Departments), 2016
Figure 7: Number of Small-Scale Industries by Council, Ruvuma Region in 2015
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Trade and Industry
Departments), 2016
Council
Oilseed
processing
industry
Garage Carpentry Cereals
Milling
machine
s
Food
Processin
g
Welding Tailoring Timber
processin
g
Total
Industri
es
perce
Nyasa DC 0 7 293 512 7 15 59 49 1171 22.2
Tunduru DC 1 80 582 324 3 29 28 45 1073 20.4
Namtumbo
0 25 345 383 2 9 70 12 832 15.8
Mbinga TC 1 4 71 233 13 7 37 25 357 6.8
Songea DC 1 1 37 128 2 19 32 26 214 4.1
Songea MC 1 5 69 72 8 37 89 30 226 4.3
Madaba 1 2 43 87 4 3 22 6 142 2.7
Total 8 126 1,517 2,625 34 402 349 202 5,263 100.0
percent C 2.4 28.8 49.9 0.6 7.6 6.6 3.8 100.0
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Trade and Industry Departments), 2016
Figure 7: Number of Small-Scale Industries by Council, Ruvuma Region in 2015
Source: Ruvuma Region, Compiled Data from Councils (Trade and Industry Departments), 2016
Mbinga District Council was leading in cumulative total number of small-scale industries (1,248 industries, 23.7
percent). Nyasa District Council, accounting for 22.2 percent of the region’s total industries, was the second,
and Tunduru District Council came in the third (20.4 percent), whereas Madaba District Council had the least
number of small-scale industries in the region (142 industries, 2.7 percent). By type of industry, Mbinga District
Council had the highest concentration of maize and paddy milling machines (858), food processing (25) and
142
1248
357
832
1171
214 226
1073
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Madaba DC
Mbinga DC
Mbinga TC
Namtumbo DC
Nyasa DC
Songea DC
Songea MC
Tunduru DC
30 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Mbinga DC was leading in cumulative total number of small-scale industries
(1,248 industries, 23.7 percent). Nyasa DC, accounting for 22.2 percent of
the region’s total industries, was the second, and Tunduru DC came in the
third (20.4 percent), whereas Madaba DC had the least number of smallscale
industries in the region (142 industries, 2.7 percent). By type of industry,
Mbinga DC had the highest concentration of maize and paddy milling
machines (858), food processing (25) and welding industries (283). Most of
garages (80) and carpentry industries (582) were in Tunduru DC, and Nyasa
DC had the highest number of tailoring industries (279).
2.7 Socio-Economic Context
2.7.1 Health Facilities
Among the eight councils in the region, none of them has managed to
implement the policy of constructing one health centre per ward and one
dispensary for each village/mtaa. Mbinga TC has the biggest shortage of
health centres and dispensaries: as of 2015 one health centre was servicing
16 wards followed by Songea DC (16 wards per health centre) and Mbinga
DC with an average of 15 wards per health centre. On the other hand,
Namtumbo DC had a ratio of 4 wards per health centre followed by Nyasa
District5 with a ratio of 5 wards per health facility. On average, each dispensary
facilitates almost 4 mitaa while Madaba DC has the lowest ratio of 2 villages
per dispensary. It was followed by Mbinga DC, Mbinga TC, Songea DC and
Tunduru DC with a ratio of 3 villages per dispensary for each council.
2.7.2 Education and Literacy Levels
Results for 2015 showed that although students seemed to perform better
in transiting from primary education and secondary education (with passes
ranging from 60.4 percent for Namtumbo DC to 71.5 percent for Mbinga),
Form IV performance indicated there was something wrong either at primary
school level or at secondary school level. This is because, out of those who
sat for Form IV examination, less than 15 percent scored marks for Divisions I,
II and III. About 34 percent got Division IV and the rest, slightly more than 50
percent, got Division zero (failed).
5 During 2018/19 financial year Nyasa District Hospital acquired 44 ha at Nangombo Village in Kilosa
Ward. Drawings have been prepared but layout of buildings are waiting for inspection by experts from
President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG).
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 31
It is no wonder that stakeholders highly recommended the need for private
sector operators to invest in pre-primary, primary and secondary education.
Despite the seemingly low proportion of people with post-secondary
education, the country’s labour laws are flexible and allow firms to recruit
workers from any part of the country. On the other hand, this low penetration
of post-primary education offers an opportunity for investments in the
education sector, focusing on privately built and managed secondary schools,
high schools and tertiary education facilities. There is also an opportunity for
printing books, and manufacturing laboratory and learning equipment.
2.7.3 Vocational Skills
Until 2015, the region had only nine vocational training centres, located
in Mbinga TC, Namtumbo DC, Songea DC, Songea MC and Tunduru DC.
The courses offered include, motor vehicle mechanics, driving, electrical
installation and plumbing, masonry and joinery, carpentry and tailoring;
altogether in 2015 some 476 Vocational Skills Training (VST) students
graduated. There is certainly a need to enrol more students, given that in
2015 for example, some 6,564 young people completed form 4, of whom less
than 15 percent had pass marks for Division I-III to qualify for advanced level
schooling and colleges.
This implies that 85 percent require vocational type of training. Recently, the
Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has established a branch for tourismrelated
programmes training in Nyasa DC, Wildlife Management in Tunduru
DC and Forestry/Bee-Keeping in Madaba DC.
32 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
PART THREE
PRIORITY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
IN RUVUMA REGION
3.1 Introduction
The investment opportunities identified by the region can be grouped into
five strategic areas as follows:
a) Establishment of industrial and agricultural investment parks
This primarily involves LGAs that have, in most cases already identified land for
establishment of investments parks for industries, which could be registered
as SEZs and EPZs. This undertaking is currently being spearheaded by the
regional administration in collaboration with all LGAs in identifying land area
for those purposes.
There is realisation that LGAs can also seek support from private sector in
surveying and mapping, as well as from real estate operators to invest, on
their own or in collaboration with central government, under Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) arrangements. The main purpose of this investment is to
simplify the process of establishing industries by prospective Investors.
b) Agro-processing
To take advantage of surplus agricultural commodities, the region is
encouraging the establishment of agro-processing industries. This will
involve adding value and transforming grains into ordinary and fortified
flour as well as other related products; turning leather into leather goods;
Processing and packaging horticulture products; production and
packaging of vegetable oil (mainly from cashew nuts, sesame, sunflower
and groundnuts); beef processing and packaging; and production of
animal feeds (for cattle, poultry and fish). In the fish industry there is a
strong conviction that Tanzania has not benefited much from Lake Nyasa
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 33
and therefore there is need to invest in modern fishing vessels and gear in
addition to cage fish farming.
c) Commercial agriculture
For agro-processing to thrive, it will be important to invest in commercial
production of maize, cassava, paddy, irrigated horticulture (using, for
example, green-houses and drip irrigation), oilseeds (e.g. sesame, groundnuts
and sunflower), legumes (e.g. soya beans, pigeon peas and chick peas) cattle
ranches, poultry, and dairy farms.
d) Natural resources beneficiation
Adding value to minerals and timber is an opportunity that is backed by
recent Government directive that none of the country’s minerals and timber
should be exported without processing to semi-finished goods, finished
goods or secondary products from the raw materials.
An interesting new opportunity in mineral processing is that of coal, whose
dust can be converted into coal briquettes for home cooking, thus saving
trees used to make charcoal.
e) Service Sector
Include services in hotels and tourism, modern markets and malls, warehouses,
banking, real estate development and land surveying and mapping.
f) Capacity building
This includes investments in the education sector (e.g. early learning,
primary and secondary education offering alternative quality education to
complement Government facilities; health sector involving health centres,
specialised hospitals and modern laboratory facilities; and establishment of
vocational training centres.
This area was stressed by newly formed LGAs such as Nyasa, Madaba and
Namtumbo.
34 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
3.2 Regional Level Priority Investment Opportunities
3.2.1 Industrial Parks
It is part of the national industrial development policy that each LGA must
provide some land for the development of industrial parks. The Regional
Commissioner for Ruvuma has directed that all district and town councils
must identify and allocate land for industries and indeed all of them have
some land area identified for the purpose. They invite private sector operators
to join in the effort as partners in case of delays in compensating land owners
due to shortage of funds.
Songea MC has set aside some 5,995.07 ha as part of planning area for
industries and other formal usage, out of which 2,409.09 ha have been partially
compensated at Lilambo (385.9 ha) and EPZA area at Mwengemshindo
(2023.4 ha). The rest, about 3,585.7 ha, is not yet compensated at all and can
be found at Mwanamonga (1,449.5 ha), Mletele (1,464.6 ha) and Tanga (671.6
ha). There is also a high possibility of converting ownership of public land
previously owned by state-owned enterprises at Lilambo/Lulawasi (550 ha)
and Subira/Kihekwa (420 ha).
Songea DC: Land (4,046.9 ha) for coffee farming is available in Rusonga, and
land suitable for sugarcane farming is available in Liganga ward, Mdundwala
Basin where a local group of investors is seeking partners (under leadership
of Mr Lutengano) to develop about 161.9 ha. There are some 40468.6 ha at
Magwamila suitable for sugarcane irrigated farming.
Mbinga DC: The district has about 275,005 ha of arable land, of which 64.4
percent is not cultivated, since only 97,932 ha (35.6 percent) were used
in 2015. The most potential ward with vast land for commercial farming
is Namswea, with about 122,066 ha of arable land, but only 13,167 ha are
utilised, thus leaving 80.2 percent free for commercial farm developments.
Kigonsera Ward is next with about 38 percent of its 67,832.7 ha of arable land
free for use.
Mbinga TC has several areas officially converted as planning areas at Lusaka-
Mwembe, Lusaka Maumba, Tangi la Maji and Luponda as shown in the
following table:
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 35
Area
Industrial
Plots
Area in
hectares
Distance from
Mbinga Town
(km)
1.
Lusaka –Mwembe
(Phase I)
16 5.9 5.0
2.
Lusaka-Maumba
(Phase 11)
41 24.5 5.0
3.
Mbinga General
Planning Proposal
26 20.3 2.5
4.
Mbinga General
Planning Proposal
3 1.2 2.5
5.
Lusaka Maumba
(Phase 11)
5 3.2 5.0
6.
Tangila Maji Planning
Proposal
24 5.4 3.0
7.
Lusaka Maumba Layout
(Phase 11)
1 0.2 5.0
8.
Luponda Layout
(Phase 11)
2 0.3 3.0
Total 118 60.9 -
There is also some additional 60.7 ha of land at Utiri, (of which 14.6 ha are
specifically set aside for industries) owned by the Town Council and requires
no compensation. However, some 5.7 ha that are individually owned at Lusaka
requires some compensation under the supervision of the government.
Nyasa DC: The district has 12 detailed planning areas, and the Council has
already set aside some 10 ha in Mbamba Bay Town for academic institutions,
and several low-density plots as follows: 240 plots for commerce and
business buildings; 136 plots for industries; 15 plots for housing estates; 3
plots for vocational and technical institutions; and plots 3 for sports/stadia.
Moreover, only 9 out of 84 villages have detailed land use plans; a gap that
offers an opportunity for local survey and mapping companies to enter into
partnership with LGAs to prepare land use plans of 75 villages.
36 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
All the 9 villages that have detailed land use plans have allocated some land
for commercial agriculture, residential houses and forest plantations; three
villages out of the 9 have set aside land for industries (Nkalachi Village -
42.08 ha; Mango Village - 6.90 ha; and Mkali A Village - 1.92 ha). Three other
villages have planned land use for mining activities (Lunyale Village - 760 ha;
Kihuranga Village -300 ha; and Mpepo Village – 2 ha). Madaba DC has put
aside 161.9 ha (1,600,000 sq.m) of land for industries at Ifugwa Hamlet (in
Mahanje Ward, Madaba village) whose process for planning are at different
stages of implementation.
Tunduru DC has set aside 28.3 ha of land for industrial development in
Nakayaya Ward (4.9 ha) and Semvuyanke Ward (23.5 ha). Although the district
has 664,212 ha of arable land distributed among seven wards, only 14.3
percent of this arable land was cultivated in 2015, leaving about 569,322.7 ha
without use. Some 91,872 ha is set aside for cashew production. In general, all
the seven wards have more than 85 percent of their arable land uncultivated,
except for Lukumbule Ward, where only 53 percent of its arable land is used.
Nevertheless, the ward has set aside 35 ha to be used for commercial
production of sesame, and 20 ha for coconuts. Although by 2018 only
28.3 ha of surveyed land was set aside for industrial development, the
administration is continuing with plans to source more land for commercial
developments.
Namtumbo DC is doing its best to make sure investors get land easily when
they decide to invest in the district. Some 36.4 ha have been earmarked for
Namtumbo Town industrial area. Among the areas earmarked for industries are:
6.5 ha at VETA-Suluti, whose drawings of demarcation were done in 2017 (with
some final processes for compensation in place); 10.1 ha at Lusenti Mahengo;
and 100 areas at Mandepwende as part of newly established planning areas
(also in the process of compensation). For commercial agriculture there are
some 487,187 ha suitable for coconut farming in the following wards: Magazini,
Msisima, Lusewa, Lisimonji, Ligera, Mchomoro, Lisukuseka, Limamu (Mtakuja
Village) and Rwingwa (Mandepwende Village). Sesame can also be cultivated
in all 21 wards, with some 13,586 ha identified for the purpose.
Some 6070.3 ha of land for commercial farming is also available in Undendeule
Division, Nampumbo Ward (Suluti and Rwinga villages) formerly used by a
National Agricultural Farms Company (NAFCO) farm. Also, in disuse (and could
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 37
be made available to serious investors) are 378 ha formerly used by Uyole
ARTI at Suluti Village and some 194 ha of Likenangema Farm (formerly used
by Tobacco Board) at Lumecha, Msindo Ward. Mineral extraction licences can
be obtained for at Suluti, Mbimbi, Chengela, Pachani, Libango, Likuyu, Amani,
Mputa, Kiburungutu, and Namahima areas.
Overview of investment opportunity in industrial parks development
Key features The region is supposed to comply with national policy
for each district to establish industrial parks. According to
stakeholder views, the parks could host different types of
industrial or service clusters, namely:
1. Agro-processing factories cluster:
 Value addition of horticultural products (primary
processing - sorting, grading, and packaging) and
cold storage;
 Secondary processing of horticultural products
- conversion of horticultural products into other
products;
 Meat processing and packaging;
 Grains milling (mainly maize and rice);
 Cassava flour processing and packaging;
 Oilseed processing (from sunflower and cotton
seeds);
 Coffee curing and processing factories;
 Cashew nuts processing factories;
 Factory for packaging materials for both primary
and secondary processing;
 Hatchery machines and hatching of one day old
chicks;
 Processing of milk into various dairy products;
 Animal feeds processing industry (sunflower and
cotton seed cakes);
 Natural honey processing and packaging; and
 Bottled water packaging.
2. Manufacturing industrial cluster:
 Tanneries - conversion of leather into leather
products;
 Mining - coal, stone quarry and precious minerals;
 Saw mills for timber and furniture fabrication; and
38 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunity in industrial parks development
• Solid wastes management, including a recycling
plant in Songea Municipality and Mbinga Town.
3. Assembling cluster: assembling and repackaging
machinery, equipment, and other industrial goods for
value addition.
4. Pharmaceuticals: drugs and medical equipment
manufacturing.
5. Forest and timber products: high potential in Nyasa
DC to produce chipboards, plywood, fibreboards,
furniture and poles. Also potential for beekeeping
industry development.
6. Packaging and supply chain management facilities.
Investment
rationale
 Need for a well-designed and participatory planned
sustainable development approach where Government
can easily support and/or provide public goods such as
electricity, communication facilities, water, roads, and
security to investors;
 Need of public and private investments in urban
planning and urban infrastructure development to have
well planned towns in line with laws and regulations;
and
 Ruvuma Region must take advantage of its strategic
geographic position to develop industries that can
produce goods at competitive costs for penetrating and
accessing the EAC, SADC and Common Market for East
and South Africa (COMESA) trading blocs through land,
water and air ways.
Available support
 Strong support by national and regional authorities;
 The RAS chairs a joint departmental meeting to assess
progress in investment promotion, and is in regular
consultations with the TIC Zone Office; and
 The region was recently connected to the national
electricity power grid, which will assure stable supply of
power for existing and upcoming industries.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 39
3.2.2 Large Scale Commercial Mining of Coal, Blue Copper and
Gemstones
Overview of investment opportunity in commercial mining
Key features  There are still some undeveloped mining sites ready for
small and medium-size investments for extracting gold,
aquamarine, corrandum and coal;
 Large commercial mining of blue copper available in
Tunduru DC;
 Value addition of extracted precious minerals and gold
is a new area where not much investment is done; and
 New area of investment includes making coal briquettes.
Preferred
locations
 Mbinga DC: Gold extraction at Lukarasi;
 Nyasa DC: Gold at Njalambe and Kihurunga; advanced
quarrying at Mpepo and Mnyele villages;
 Namtumbo DC: Aquamarine at Suluti and Chengena
and Corrandum at Lisogo-Lusewa;
 Songea DC: Coal at Mhukuru (possible to acquire
existing licences in Mbinga-Ruanda coal fields. Largescale
quarrying at Manole Hills, Mpitimbi A, with
potential area at Litenga Hills;
 Tunduru DC: Copper at Mbesa ward - Nalasi Division
(investors may partner with locals) and Gemstones at
Muhuwesi, Majimaji, Nakapanya, Ngapa, Mtetesi, and
Mbuyuni areas; and
 Madaba DC: Lime mining at Mtyangibole, Maweso,
Wino and Matetereka wards to meet demand for soil
moderation, calcium for animal feeds, and school chalks.
Investment
rationale
There are still some undeveloped mining sites ready for
small and medium size investments for:
 Gold extraction in Mbinga DC and Nyasa DC;
 Aquamarine Corrandum in Namtumbo DC;
 Coal in Songea DC; and
 Gemstones and copper in Tunduru DC.
Other mining potentials with active licenses but available
under negotiations with licence owners (to increase their
operating capital or machinery and technology) include:
40 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunity in commercial mining
 Large-scale mining of uranium in Namtumbo (Likuyu
and Sekamaganga);
 Coal mining in Mbinga (Ruanda Mines);
 Lime (small-scale) mining in Songea DC at Mtyangimbole;
 The identified sites require investments for medium and
large-scale mining; and
 In some areas will require buying some ready supplies
from small-scale miners operating on open pits.
Available support
 The mining policy supports the development of
medium and large-scale mining operations and the
need to modernise the sector;
 The regional administration, through the Regional
Mines Office, will support the process of establishing
modern commercial mining; and
 The recent connections to the national electricity power
grid allow for low cost investments without relying on
generators.
3.2.3 Industries for Packaging Materials for both Primary and
Secondary Processing Industries
Overview of investment opportunity in packaging materials
Key features  There is a growing demand in all LGAs for packaging
materials, which are currently imported or bought from
suppliers in Dar-es-salaam at relatively high cost thus
reducing the competitiveness of the final packaged
products. Since there is global (regional) demand, it is
imperative that the Regional Secretariat champions for
investments in one of the councils to serve the whole
region; and
 All LGAs have some allocated land for industries as
shown in Section 3.2.1 above. Priority will be in easily
recycled material and in compliance with NEMC bylaws
and regulations on packaging materials.
Investment
rationale
 This will meet demand for packaging materials
emanating from expected investments in primary
and secondary processing as well as establishment of
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 41
Overview of investment opportunity in packaging materials
modern markets and shopping malls. In this way the
Government policy to ban the use of plastic packaging
materials will easily be abided to;
 The Government, through TBS, has been calling for the
private sector to invest in the production of packaging
materials;
 Currently packaging materials being used do not meet
quality standards required by different products; and
 Proper packaging materials will reduce post-harvest
losses and elongate shelf life of some delicate produces,
especially horticultural crops.
Available support
 NEMC and TBS have some guidelines on acceptable
packaging materials and quality for such materials, and
the two agencies will be available to provide further
guidance so that products can also be exported to
neighbouring SADC countries without restrictions;
 LGAs have set aside land for industries including the
industry for manufacturing packaging materials; and
 Main grid electricity is available in all the major towns
with land for industries.
3.2.4 Leather Processing Industry (Tanneries)
The number of animal hides and skins generated per year in the whole
region, about 84,144 pieces in 2015, cannot justify the establishment of more
than one leather processing factory. The model to be used will be that of
building simple facilities for initial preparations (such as salting and drying at
butcheries and slaughter houses) from where they are taken to one factory
whose location is preferably Songea Industrial Complex.
Overview of investment opportunity in leather processing
Key features  Primary preparation of hides and skins at butchery and
slaughter-house levels;
 Processing of wet-blue hides/skins;
 Processing of finished leather; and
 Manufacturing of leather products.
Preferred
locations
 Songea MC Industrial Parks; and
 Tunduru DC Industrial Area.
42 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunity in leather processing
Investment
rationale
 Materials for the leather industry available according to
2015 data: 42,020 cattle hides/skins; 26,090 goat skins;
and 15,034 sheep skins/hides will be sourced from
basic processed leather from all LGAs, especially those
with the most number of livestock such as Tunduru DC
(33.3 percent), Mbinga (20.8 percent), Songea DC (13.7
percent) and Nyasa DC (12.6 percent);
 All the councils in the region have slaughter-houses for
cattle, goats and sheep, whose skins are left to waste
due to lack of a reliable market; and
 The number of leathers is expected to increase with the
modernisation of the slaughter-houses.
Available support
 Leather products in Tanzania are in line with Leather
Development Strategy;
 Leather industry is one of the key industries that FYDP
has singled out for promotion;
 In order to protect local processing of leather the
Government has been taking various measures,
including banning the importation of raw hides and
imposing high import duty on hide products;
 Existing leather processing plants in the country, such
as Afro Leather, Kibaha Tannery, Himo Tannery and
Salex Tannery, cannot absorb the number of skins/
hides produced annually. It is therefore important to
add more factories;
 Songea is strategically located in terms of roads network
to enable it obtain supplies from all LGAs in Ruvuma
Region; and
 Government is committed to supporting development
of leather sector through upgrading of livestock
extension services to ensure that the quality of hides
and skins is improved.
3.2.5 Power Generation from Mini-Hydro Power and Coal Power Projects
In addition to the 7.5 MW Tulila Hydro and 500kW at Chipole near Mlale JKT
on Ruvuma River, both owned by Roman Catholic (RC) Nuns, 1MW at Mbinga
owned by Andoya Hydro Electrical Power (AHEPO), and 70 MW potential at
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 43
Ruhuhu River, there are potentials to generate some additional 35 MW or
more of electricity from Rumeme and Nakatuta waterfalls.
Overview of investment opportunity in energy generation
Key features
 Energy from hydro-power can be generated from
undeveloped sites along Mpepai River (Rumeme Falls)
and Ruvuma River at Nakatuta Falls; and
 There is also potential to generate electricity from coal
from Ngaka Mines and other sites.
Preferred locations  Songea DC: Out of the three (3)series of waterfalls, only
one has been developed by Tangaf; two remain idle
at Nakatuta with 7 MW potential, and Muhukuru can
produce 450MW from cane by-products (Nakawali near
Nakatuta Falls);
 Nyasa DC: Lumeme Falls (10 MW) near Mpepai River,
and Nakatuta Falls (25 MW) on Ruvuma River;
 Madaba DC: has many falls, such as Lutukila and
Masimahuhu. There is also potential at Lingatunda-
Madaba (6MW) and Lipupuma-Mkongotema (4MW).
Status of available waterfalls include: Mkonge Energy
System has done EIA for 71.5 MW at Masingira;
 Mbinga TC: Waterfalls available at Mtandazi, Kikunga,
and Lumeme rivers; and
 Tunduru DC: Sunda Falls have profound potential.
Investment
rationale
Although major towns are already connected to the
national power grid through Makambako, there are still
opportunities to tap on underutilised energy sources such
as waterfalls along the region’s rivers as well as coal, which is
in ample supply as well.
Available support
The Region’s Strategic Plan targets to invest in variable
sources of electricity power as follows:
 Power generation (200 MW) from solar energy; 100 MW
from hydropower; and 400 MW from coal by 2025;
 Rural electrification targeting 509 villages using solar,
hydropower and coal sources by 2025;
 Expansion of urban electrification from 30 percent to 90
percent in all districts; and
44 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunity in energy generation
 Reduction of charcoal use from 92.67 percent to 30
percent by adopting alternative sources of energy, i.e.
gas and electricity by 2025.
3.3 Council Level Priority Investment Opportunities
3.3.1 Agro-Based Industries Opportunities
A. Cereals milling industries: maize and paddy
A significant amount of marketable surplus filled warehouses for lack of
buyers at competitive prices. Available industries have inadequate capacity
to absorb surplus maize. For example, Mohamed Enterprises at SODECO
Ujenzi can process 100 tonnes per day; while Caamil (Ruhuwiko) can process
30 tonnes per day.
Overview of investment opportunities in cereals milling
Key features
 Maize: Milling plants and packaging plants to produce
and package mineral/vitamin-fortified maize flour.
In 2018 season there was maize surplus of 116,660
tonnes; and
 Paddy: Milling and packaging plants.
Location for
investment
 Songea MC and Songea TC: Lilambo Industrial Area
(385.9 ha); Mwengemshindo EPZ (2023.4 ha);
 Madaba DC: Ifungwa at Mahanje Ward with 40.5 ha given
to SUA and 121.4 ha for other purposes); Mtyangimbole,
and Itombololo villages at Mkongotema Ward with
more than 809.4 ha;
 Nyasa DC: Service industries at Kilosa Chini (136 plots);
Tingi Maramara, Malungu, and Tingi Ngomba;
 Mbinga DC and Mbinga TC: Industrial area at Utiri (14.6
ha), Lusonga (8 ha); and Kigonsera Industrial Area; and
Mpepai area;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 45
Overview of investment opportunities in cereals milling
 Tunduru DC: Industrial area (Nakayaya Ward – 2.0 and
Semvuyanke – 23.5 ha); and
 Namtumbo DC: Hanga, Namabengo, and Namtumbo
villages suitable- with excess land.
Investment
rationale
 There is surplus production of maize and paddy that is
sold unprocessed to other regions because the existing
milling plants are inadequate. For example, during the
period 2017/18 Namtumbo got a surplus of 64,000
tonnes but only 1,000 tonnes were bought by NFRA;
 Paddy milling and sorting and packaging should ideally
be built at Tunduru, which is the leading producer of
paddy (110.382 tonnes in 2015). Additional stocks can
be bought from Namtumbo (17,205 tonnes), Songea
DC (7,101 tonnes) and Nyasa DC (5,267 tonnes)
produced in 2015;
 Maize surplus in 2017/18 was as follows: Songea MC
(26,000 tonnes); Songea DC (116,660 tonnes); Nyasa DC
(22,476 tonnes); Mbinga TC (44,869 tonnes); Mbinga DC
(88,339 tonnes); Madaba DC (51,750 tonnes); Tunduru
DC (65,531 tonnes); and Namtumbo DC (64,000 tonnes)
but only 1,000 tonnes were bought by NFRA); and
 Maize milling plants could be established within
Songea TC and Songea DC (as leading surpluses) and/
or within Mbinga TC and Mbinga DC. The two locations
could get additional maize from Tunduru, Namtumbo
and Madaba DCs.
Available support
 Political support at national, regional and local
government levels to promote food production so
investors are assured supply of raw materials;
 Good infrastructure that includes road and
communication networks;
 Assured national/regional markets for final products;
 Presence of relevant institutions in the region, such as
TBS to enable certification of finished products; and
 Completion of construction of Tanzania Electric Supply
Company (TANESCO) backbone transmission power
line to improve electricity supply in Ruvuma Region.
46 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
B. Tubers/Root crops processing Industries: cassava and sweet potatoes
Given the similarity in technologies for processing cassava and sweet
potatoes, investors are welcome to take advantage of the surplus production
of the two tuber crops to process them into different final products for local
and international markets.
Overview of investment opportunities for processing of tubers
Key features  Cassava and potatoes processing and packaging plants
to produce cassava and potato flours that are fortified
with essential minerals and vitamins; and
 Cassava flour dishes are favourite among the people of
Ruvuma Region and so there is a ready market within
the region in addition to exporting.
Location for
investment
 Cassava is mostly produced in Namtumbo DC (40
percent), Nyasa DC (24.8 percent), Tunduru DC (18.3
percent) and Songea DC (12.6 percent);
 Namtumbo is therefore the leading contender for
establishing a hub for cassava processing; and
 Songea MC could also be an ideal choice for collecting
raw materials from Nyasa and Namtumbo DCs.
Investment
rationale
 There is surplus production of cassava;
 China has expressed readiness to import cassava
products from Tanzania; and
 There is already some significant investment by
Government in deploying high yielding cassava
cultivators in the region.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 47
Overview of investment opportunities for processing of tubers
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government level;
 Presence of relevant institutions, such as TBS, in the
region to enable certification of finished products;
 Good infrastructure, including road and communication
networks, electricity and markets; and
 Completion of construction of TANESCO’s backbone
power transmission line to improve electricity supply in
Ruvuma Region.
C. Processing of Legumes: Soya Beans and Pigeon Peas
Overview of investment opportunities in soya beans and pigeon peas
processing
Key features
Invest in new technologies for processing soya beans and
pigeon peas into different final products (e.g. soya milk,
biscuits, sausages, etc.) for local and international markets.
Location for
investment
 Madaba and Songea DCs are known for producing soya
beans;
 Madaba, Songea, Tunduru and Namtumbo DCs
produce surplus pigeon peas;
 Namtumbo DC: Three possible areas: Veta-Soluti
(6.5 ha); drawings to identify as industrial area, but
compensation has not been done; Lucenti
Mahengo (10.1 ha) is also a planned area; and
Mandepwende Industrial Area (40.5 ha) also needs
compensation; and
 There is need to choose a location for building the
factory, but all LGAs have space for industries.
Investment
rationale
 Soya beans occupied 4.4 percent of cultivated area
in 2015 but all of it was for selling to manufacturers of
livestock feeds;
 Pigeon peas occupied 16.6 percent of cultivated area in
2015, with a significant proportion meant for export to
India;
 The region would like investors to establish factories for
processing of soya beans and pigeon peas instead of
selling it in raw forms. The plants should be able
48 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunities in soya beans and pigeon peas
processing
to prepare mineral/vitamin-fortified flours and other
products from the pigeon peas and Soya beans;
 There is already experience in commercial production of
soya beans and pigeon peas. For example, Namtumbo
DC is leading in Tanzania, with soya production of more
than 5,000 tonnes after being promised to get a market
during the 2016/17 season;
 Farmers have been trained to cultivate soya beans
for industrial use by animal feed processing plants in
Mufindi, and pigeon peas by Indian importers, but the
feed plants and Indian importers stopped purchasing
the produce thus leaving farmers in dilemma; and
 The by-products from maize milling is a major raw
material for feeds industries, which is currently in high
demand in the country.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and local
government levels;
 Presence of relevant institutions in the region, such as
TBS, to enable certification of finished products;
 Good infrastructure, including roads and communication
networks, and electricity; and
 Completion of construction of TANESCO’s backbone
power transmission line to improve electricity supply in
Ruvuma Region.
 Completion of construction of TANESCO’s backbone
power transmission line to improve electricity supply in
Ruvuma Region.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 49
D. Animal Feeds Processing Industry
Overview of the opportunity in animal feeds from cereals and oilseeds:
sesame, groundnuts and sunflower
Key features Building of animal feeds processing factory for cattle, pigs,
and chicken; and
Using raw materials produced locally.
Preferred
locations
 A choice could be made to locate a medium to largescale
factory in Songea or Mbinga; and
 There are options for establishing small-scale factories
in LGAs that have surplus cereals, legumes and oilseeds
as indicated above.
Investment
rationale
 LGAs have surplus grains and oilseeds whose byproducts
are ideal for making livestock feeds; and
 There is a local market for the feeds, as farmers also keep
dairy cows, pigs and poultry.
Available support
 Political support at regional and local government levels
to promote manufacturing of animal feeds; and
 Completion of construction of TANESCO’s backbone
power transmission line to improve electricity supply in
Ruvuma Region.
50 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
E. Horticultural Products: Primary Value Addition
Overview of the opportunities in horticultural products: sorting,
grading and packaging
Key features  Primary value addition by grading and packaging vegetables,
including tomatoes, onions, green pepper, cucumber, water
melons, pineapples, mangoes, and avocado;
 Adding value by drying fruits such as mangoes,
pineapples and banana; and
 Primary processing for vegetables such as tomatoes.
Preferred
locations for
investment
 Songea DC / MC: Mletele Industrial Area (1464.6 ha) and
Mwanamonga Large-scale Industrial Area (1449.2 ha);
fruits can be sourced from other LGAs;
 Madaba DC: mangoes (October to December), banana
(January to December), and avocado (throughout the
year); and
 Tunduru DC: mangoes (December to March), oranges
(May to August), and watermelons (January to
December).
Investment
rationale
 The region is known for seasonal fruits such as mangoes
and pineapples, and all seasons fruits such as water
melons; and
 Value addition at farm gate level reduces postharvest
loses, increases prices to farmers and provides
secondary processors with quality raw materials, and
at the same time provides consumers of unprocessed
commodities with fresh and healthy consumer goods.
Available support
 The districts will promote the establishment of vocational
training institutes focusing on skills development for
value addition, with intention of imparting such skills to
farmers;
 Districts have commitments to attract investments in
producing packaging materials that will meet specific
requirements of various horticultural products; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 51
F. Horticultural Products’ Secondary Processing
Overview of opportunities to processing of horticultural products into
juices, pastes, powders, etc.
Key features
 Processing mangoes and water melons into packaged
juices of different types (pure and blended juices);
 Processing tomatoes into packaged pastes and juices;
 Processing avocado into body health products; and
 Processing spices such as ginger, garlic, and pepper into
dried powder and pastes.
Preferred
locations for
investment
 Songea DC / MC: Mletele Industrial Area (1464.6 ha) and
Mwanamonga large-scale Industrial Area (1449.2 ha);
fruits can be sourced from other LGAs;
 Nyasa DC: Mango and Kiagara villages have sites for
processing factories;
 Madaba DC: a factory could be built at Mkongotema
Ward and Mkongotema Village. Fruits to be processed
at this factory include mangoes (October to December),
banana (January to December), and avocado
(throughout the year);
 Tunduru DC: mangoes (December to March), oranges
(May to August), and watermelons (January to
December); and
 Namtumbo DC: Rwinga Ward at Minazini Village (4 - 8
ha).
Investment
rationale
 Minimising post-harvest losses: The rationale behind
this proposal is based solely on the adequate volumes of
output with frequent spoilage of horticultural products.
Processing is seen as a major avenue for reducing postharvest
losses along with provision of employment to
district residents, mainly the youths;
 Local knowledge and interest: There are already some
interest by inhabitants of the region to cultivate
horticultural crops;
 High value per unit area, hence horticultural crops offer
a better approach to enhance farm income and offer
higher profits to investors, and at the same time and
reduce poverty in the region; and
52 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of opportunities to processing of horticultural products into
juices, pastes, powders, etc.
 Impact of assured markets will likely stimulate more
investment in commercial farming of horticultural
products.
Available support
 LGAs are committed to provide conducive environment
for investment, including allocation of land needed for
constructing processing factories where need be;
 LGAs are also ready to enter PPP with potential investors
and/or promote Build Operate Transfer (BOT);
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
G. Oilseeds Processing and Packaging
Overview of the opportunities to invest in processing of oilseeds
Key features  Processing groundnuts into cooking oil for human use;
 Processing sunflower seeds into cooking oil for human
use;
 Sesame can also be grown in the region; and
 Converting by-products from processed sesame seeds,
groundnuts and sunflower seeds into cakes for livestock
use (cattle, poultry and pigs).
Preferred location
of investment
 To be established in any of the LGAs with most surplus
oilseeds;
 Songea MC remains the most strategically located place
for this type of industry, taking advantage of Mletele
Industrial Area (1464.6 ha) and Mwanamonga Largescale
Industrial Area (1449.2 ha);
 Other LGAs also expressed interest in supporting the
edible oil processing industry, and have therefore set
aside some land as follows:
o Madaba DC: Lutukila, Itombololo and Mkongotema
villages where production is high
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 53
Overview of the opportunities to invest in processing of oilseeds
(but edible oil is currently produced in almost all
villages);
o Tunduru DC: Lukumbule Industrial Area, Nakapanya
Ward, Mchoteka Ward (Nalasi Division) and
Semvuyanke Village;
o Namtumbo DC: VETA Soluti Industrial Area (6.5
ha); Lucenti Mahengo (10 ha); and Mandepwende
Industrial Area (some compensation needed to get
40.5 ha). Another private land area of 2.8-3.2 ha is
near Namtumbo District Hospital, but require some
compensation to owners;
o Tunduru DC: Land is available in Kumbule
(Nakapanya Ward, Mchoteka Ward (Nalasi Division),
and Semvuyanke Village; and
o Nyasa DC: Tingi Ward has 46.1 ha for service
industries available).
Investment
rationale
 The region also produces significant amount of
sesame, groundnuts, Soya beans and sunflower, whose
production can be stimulated to increase if the market
offers competitive prices of the two commodities;
 Market development: Most of the groundnuts and
sunflower are currently utilised at household level, while
some of it is processed by small oilseed milling machines
scattered in the villages;
 Improved quality of edible oils should command better
market prices. Formal processing of oilseeds will result into
better quality refined products without harmful residues
that cannot be removed by using basic technologies of
simple oil pressing machines;
 Local knowledge of and interest in increased production
make take-off easier- there is already some interest by
inhabitants of the region to cultivate oil seed crops; and
 Impact of assured markets will likely stimulate more
investment in commercial farming of oilseed crops.
54 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of the opportunities to invest in processing of oilseeds
Available support
 LGAs are committed to provide conducive environment
for investment, including allocation of land needed for
constructing factories where need be;
 LGAs are also ready to enter PPP with potential investors
and/or promote build operate transfer (BOT);
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
H. Coffee Processing Factory
Overview of investment opportunities in coffee processing
Key features
 Need to establish additional factories for coffee pulping
and processing of coffee beans (roast beans and ground
coffee).
Preferred
locations
 Nyasa DC: Coffee curing plant-land is available (2,010
ha) in Mpepo Division (at Kingerikiti or Tingi); and
 Mbinga DC can avail land for an additional factory.
Investment
rationale
 The region has the potential to produce more coffee in
response to a growing international market for coffee;
 Capacity for processing of coffee beyond pulping is
limited; and
 Local knowledge of and interest in coffee planting and
raising seedlings make take-off in increased production
easier.
Available support
 Coffee farming is poised to increase but existing facilities
are inadequate;
 Production per year: 9,820.4 tonnes, most of it sold to
the market unprocessed;
 Coffee Board of Tanzania to support coffee cooperatives
and associations;
 Mbinga Cooperative Societies to support farmers;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 55
Overview of investment opportunities in coffee processing
 Government has introduced auction system to ensure
farmers sell quality coffee beans but also get a fair price
for their produce;
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
I. Cashew Nuts Processing Factories
Overview of investment opportunities in cashew nuts processing
Key features
 Establish new cashew processing factories for production
of graded kernels for the export market.
Preferred
locations
 Tunduru DC has set aside an industrial area; it has also
made available land for new factories at Nakayaya 5.9
ha) and Semvuyanke (6.1 ha).
Investment
rationale
 National campaign to increase cashew trees has
resulted into increased production of cashew nuts.
 Tunduru and Namtumbo DCs are leading in production
of cashew nuts, with the later in campaigns to expand
planted area;
 In 2015 some 391 tonnes were captured as marketed
within the LGAs, reflecting that some of it was sold
outside the region because production is estimated at
more than 20,912 tonnes per year (based on Cashew
Board of Tanzania [CBT] data for 2017/18);
 Out of the estimated annual amount of produced
cashew nuts, 20,325 tonnes (about 97 percent) are
produced in Tunduru DC
 Most of the nuts are sold in raw form for processing
outside the LGAs;
 The region has the potential to produce bigger amount
of cashew nuts because land is available and the
international market for cashew is growing;
56 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunities in cashew nuts processing
 But there is only one factory (Korosho Africa Ltd) in
Tunduru: With a capacity of 4,500 tonnes/year compared
to total production of 20,000 tonnes/year; and
 Local knowledge of and interest in increased production
make take-off easier in raising cashew seedlings and
cashew tree planting.
Available support
 CBT to support cashew cooperatives and associations;
 Tunduru Cooperative Societies to support farmers;
 Government has introduced auction system to ensure
farmers sell quality nuts but also get a fair price for their
produce;
 Existing cashew processing plants have low capacity to
absorb the produced nuts;
 LGAs are committed to provide conducive environment
for acquiring land for large-scale farming and/or
facilitating contract farming with smallholder farmers;
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
J. Modern Abattoirs for Slaughter of Livestock
Overview of the opportunities in modern abattoirs for cattle, sheep,
and goats
Key features  Construction of an abattoir at Songea MC;
 Construction of modern slaughter houses in Tunduru,
Mbinga, Namtumbo, Madaba and Kilosa (Mbamba Bay)
councils;
 Investments in slaughter slabs;
 Investment in modern butcheries in all trading centres;
and
 Investment in cold chain storage and transportation of
meat.
Preferred
locations
 Abattoir: Songea MC;
 Modern slaughter houses: all towns; and
 Modern butcheries: all town and trading centres.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 57
Overview of the opportunities in modern abattoirs for cattle, sheep,
and goats
Investment
rationale
 In 2015the region had 171,041 herds of cattle; 272,147
goats; 222,420 pigs, and 30,625 sheep;
 A proportion of these numbers of livestock is available
for slaughter every year;
 The existing abattoirs are not only small but also
inefficient, particularly with respect to meeting supply
requirements for meat processing and tanneries; and
 Ensuring skins and hides are properly prepared for
supply to leather industries/tanneries in the region and
beyond.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels;
 Good infrastructure, including road and communication
networks, electricity supply and ready markets; and
 LGAs’ health and veterinary departments to provide
guidance on proper procedures for establishing
livestock processing facilities.
K. Beef Processing
Overview of opportunities for beef processing
Key features  Medium-scale beef processing and packaging factory;
 Different beef products (e.g. sausage) could be made
in addition to standard meat cuts such as sirloin steak,
T-bone etc.; and
 Separate facilities needed for commercial processing
and packaging of pork, a popular livestock kept by
farmers in Ruvuma Region.
Preferred
locations
 Tunduru DC stocks 33.3 percent of the region’s herds
of cattle and 15 percent of the number of goats in the
region. It is a high contender for establishing a meatprocessing
factory, and it could outsource supplies from
Namtumbo DC (8.8 percent) and Songea DC/MC (16.2
percent); and
 Mbinga is a next suitable location, with 24.6 percent
of cattle and 46.2 percent of goats. It can conveniently
58 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of opportunities for beef processing
source additional stocks from Songea DC/MC (16.2
percent of regional cattle) and Nyasa DC (12.6 percent of
cattle and 14.5 percent of goats).
Investment
rationale
 In 2015 the region had a total of 171,041 herds of cattle;
272,147 goats; 222,420 pigs, and 30,625 sheep;
 A proportion of these numbers of livestock is available for
slaughter every year;
 High demand for quality meat in the region by both
domestic consumers and tourists;
 Ruvuma Region is strategically placed to target markets
in Mtwara and Lindi regions, as well as in neighbouring
Mozambique;
 The facility at Peramiho is not adequate to cater for the
growing demand for processed and properly packaged
beef;
 Ruvuma Airport provides an appropriate transport
system for beef products to be transported to selling
outlets within Tanzania and in the EAC market; and
 There is opportunity to sell some of the beef cuts to
markets outside East Africa.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and local
government levels;
 Good infrastructure, including road and communication
networks, electricity supply and markets; and
 Completion of construction of TANESCO’s backbone
transmission power line from Makambako to Songea
through Njombe.
L. Processing of Milk into Various Dairy Products
Overview of investment opportunities in dairy industry
Key features  There is a need for establishing some small-scale and
medium-scale milk processing plants in Mbinga, Songea
and Tunduru.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 59
Overview of investment opportunities in dairy industry
Preferred
locations
 Mbinga, Songea, Namtumbo and Madaba are main
producers of milk but will need to get extra supplies
from other districts; and
 Ideally the investor should (i) start with medium-scale
factory requiring less than 1500 litres per day; (ii) be
prepared to work closely with LGAs in organising smallscale
livestock keepers to adapt modern dairy keeping
practices.
Investment
rationale
 More than 33,168 litres of surplus milk were sold into
the market in 2015, produced from indigenous cows
(13,068 litres) and improved dairy cows (20,100 litres);
 Most of the produced milk is sold unprocessed to
consumers, hence the failure to meeting demand for
various dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, etc.;
 An assurance of market for surplus milk is likely to
stimulate more investments in dairy farming; and
 Songea Airport provides an appropriate transport
system for dairy products to be marketed outside the
region.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels;
 Land for setting up factories is available in all LGAs;
 Health departments and TBS to provide support in
meeting statutory obligations/conditions for processed
food products; and
 VAT Special Relief on Project Capital Goods: VAT exemption
on meat insulated and milk cooling tanks and aluminium
jerry cans used for storage and collection of milk in dairy
industry.
M. Honey Processing and Packaging
Overview of investment opportunities in honey industry
Key features
 By-products from honey not well preserved; and
 Need to invest in modern methods of honey processing
and dealing with by-products such as wax.
60 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunities in honey industry
Preferred
locations
 Madaba DC: Mdogota and other areas such as Ifinga,
Wino and Matetereka;
 Namtumbo DC: 75 percent of Namtumbo is forest
(miombo wood lands in 15 villages that are most
suitable for bee keeping. Additionally, other village
forest areas include Mchomole, Kilimasera, Milonji and
all 15 villages in Sasawala Division;
 Tunduru DC: Mwambesi and Misechela forests and
Legezamwendo (permitted natural reserves);
 LGAs have set aside land for industries;
 Will get extra supplies of crude honey from other
districts; and
 Ideally, the investor should be prepared to work closely
with LGAs in organising small-scale bee keepers to adopt
modern hives and improved bee keeping practices.
Investment
rationale
 Madaba DC leads in installed bee hives (72.8 percent)
and production of honey. In 2017 the district produced
about 3 tonnes of honey;
 Followed by Mbinga and Namtumbo Districts in honey
production;
 Most of the produced honey is sold semi-processed to
consumers;
 Market for by-products such as wax; and
 An assurance of market for honey and wax is likely to
stimulate more investments in beekeeping.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels;
 Land for setting up factories is available in all LGAs;
 Associations of Beekeepers supported by Government,
and various programmes by development partners; and
 Health departments and TBS to provide support in
meeting statutory obligations/conditions for processed
food products.
3.3.2 Commercial Agricultural Production
The second phase of Agricultural Sector Development Programme (ASDP-II)
has, among its cornerstones, the need to improve farm productivity so that
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 61
more output is obtained from the same production unit. The approach to be
used is through direct investment by private sector commercial farmers and
in partnership between smallholder farmers and Government.
Summary of main opportunities for commercial farming in Ruvuma Region
Key features
Land is for private sector investors to engage in:
 Commercial large-scale farming of perennial crops such
as coffee (Mbinga DC);
 Expanding cashew farming beyond the traditional LGAs
(Tunduru and Namtumbo DCs) to other LGAs such as
Madaba and Songea DCs;
 Commercial farming of annual crops such as maize,
sesame, sunflower, and Soya beans;
 Commercial intensive farming of horticultural crops
 Pioneering with new commodities such as cocoa,
vanilla, and pineapples;
 Commercial bee keeping;
 Commercial livestock keeping for beef and dairy
products;
 Commercial poultry farming;
 Commercial production of certified improved crop
seeds; and
 Commercial services for livestock health facilities, such
Artificial Insemination (AI) and vaccination services.
Preferred
locations
 See details below for each specific commodity.
Investment
rationale
 Need for a well-designed and participatory planned
sustainable development approach where Government
can easily support and/or provide public goods such as
electricity, communication facilities, water, roads, and
security to investors.
Available support
 Strong support by national and regional authorities;
 Ruvuma Region has established a dedicated system for
assisting and encouraging new and existing investors in
primary production by ensuring that there are no land
disputes in case of land bought from villagers; and
62 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Summary of main opportunities for commercial farming in Ruvuma Region
 The Land Zone Office is based at Mtwara and works
closely with the Ruvuma Regional Secretariat.
1. Irrigation Infrastructure and Contract Farming
Only 3.7 percent of the land most potential for irrigation was utilised in
2015. Investment in drip irrigation and greenhouses is highly preferred and
expected in order to conserve water resources in line with the Strategic
Environmental Assessment (SEA) for Ruvuma Regional Development Plan
(2015-2025).
Overview investment opportunity in irrigation infrastructure development
Key features  Starting new irrigation schemes in the identified valleys;
 Introducing drip irrigation and green houses to conserve
water;
 Rehabilitation of old irrigation schemes under PPP
operational arrangements; and
 Increasing efficiency of utilisation of the schemes by
introducing double or triple cropping per unit area per
year.
Preferred
locations
 Songea DC: A total of 179,120 ha within river valleys
of Mtopesi (400 ha belonging to Mr Lutengano for
sugarcane farming); Mdundialo (40.5 ha also for
sugarcane farming, belonging to Mr Seleman Hamza);
Ruhila, Mgugusi, Njalila and Luwawazi (including
sugarcane irrigation at Magwamila–to compete with
Mulukulu Scheme);
 Songea MC: 960 ha(including land in Lilambo Ward-
550 ha);
 Madaba DC: 865.2 ha;
 Mbinga DC: 3,554 ha;
 Mbinga TC: 1,200 ha (e.g. Kikunga, Mtandazi, Lihununa,
Ndongosi and Lumeme rivers);
 Namtumbo DC: 1,500 ha;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 63
Overview investment opportunity in irrigation infrastructure development
 Nyasa DC: 6,570 ha; and
 Tunduru: 3,339 ha, including sites at Mkotamo, Wenje,
Lukumbule, and Naikula.
Investment
rationale
 The region is endowed with a potential area for irrigation
prospects of about 197,108.2 ha, but in 2015 utilised
only 7,385.3 ha or 3.7 percent;
 Most of the potential land is undeveloped for irrigation;
 The region’s agro-processing agenda will succeed if
supply of agricultural products as outlined above is
increased; and
 There are untapped irrigation potentials in the said
areas; small farmers have not been able to fully utilise
the irrigation potentials due mostly to lack of financial
and technical capacities.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels for local and foreign investment;
and
 The current supply is unlikely to meet demand for
processing the said horticultural produce, and hence
the need to promote investment to increase supply.
2. Oilseeds Farming
Overview of investment opportunities in oilseed production
Key features  There is room to open more land for cultivating these
crops on a commercial scale;
 Contract farming with smallholder farmers to raise yield
per unit area and also raise the quality of oilseeds from
groundnuts and sunflower;
 Invest in commercial large-scale production of
sunflower and groundnuts; and
 Both models are possible: where an investor can have
some demonstration farms and support smallholder
farmers with technical inputs and access to markets for
their produce.
64 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Preferred
locations
 Songea Municipal Industrial Area, Mwanamonga (121.4
ha virgin land), and Mangúa (161.9 ha, virgin land) are
ready for sale. Indicative price: in 2018 it is about TZS
500,000 per acre;
 Mbinga DC: Kigonsera Village (approx. 27.1 ha) and
Nkurumusi area (approx. 80.9 ha);
 Tunduru DC: coconuts and sesame farming in
Lukumbule (Nakapanya Ward, Mchoteka Ward in Nalasi
Division) and Semvuyanke Village;
 Namtumbo DC: in most areas there is high potential;
 Nyasa DC: sunflower in Tingi Malungu Village (5,661 ha)
and Liparamba Village (3,369 ha); and sesame at Luhuhu
(30,529 ha) and Ruhekei (50,760 ha); and
 Madaba DC: sunflower at Lutukila Village, Gumbilo and
Mtyangimbole (approximately202.3ha of pristine land),
Itombololo and Mkongotema.
Investment
rationale
 Now, oilseed crops occupy 35 percent of annually
cultivated land area, with sesame taking 22.7 percent
of farmed area, followed by sunflower (9.6 percent)
and then groundnuts (2.7 percent). Cultivation is done
mostly by subsistence farmers;
 Tunduru is endowed with coconuts for oil production;
 The region has the potential to produce larger amount
of sesame, groundnuts and sunflower, if the market
for these products is assured and stimulated by
investments in agro-processing factories;
 Local knowledge and interest increased production
make take-off easier -there is already some interest by
inhabitants of the region in cultivating oilseed crops;
and
 Impact of assured markets will likely stimulate more
investment in commercial farming of oilseed crops.
Available support
 LGAs have shown commitment to provide conducive
environment for acquiring land for large-scale farming
and/or facilitating contract farming with smallholder
farmers;
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 65
3. Horticulture: Vegetables and Fruits
Overview of the production opportunities in horticultural sector
Key features  Introducing commercial and modern farming
of vegetable crops, including tomatoes, onions,
green/red/yellow pepper, cucumber, water melons,
pineapples, mangoes, avocado, and French beans by
smallholder farmers;
 There is room to expand area under cultivation of these
crops and/or modernise the existing cultivated land;
and
 Supplying horticultural products to domestic
supermarkets and exporting some of the stocks to
neighbouring countries and overseas.
Preferred locations
for investment
 Songea DC (179,120 ha); Songea MC (960 ha, including
land in Lilambo Ward - 550 ha);
 Madaba DC: 865.2 ha;
 Mbinga DC: 3,554 ha;
 Mbinga TC: 1,200 ha;
 Namtumbo DC: 1,500 ha;
 Nyasa DC: 6,570 ha; and
 Tunduru DC: 3,339 ha, including sites at Lelolelo, Nalowale,
Kitanda and Masonga areas.
Investment
rationale
 Most of the farming of vegetable crops is undertaken
by smallholder farmers who do not apply improved
farming methods;
 Increasing market for vegetables and fruits due to
an increased proportion of enlightened and middleincome
working class;
 Expanding market in neighbouring countries; and
 Link with the established processing and packaging
plants being established.
Available support
 Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) is dedicated
to helping farmers engage in commercial horticultural
production;
 Government has removed taxes on imported
equipment for greenhouses and drip irrigation, which
is now being encouraged in order to ensure production
throughout the year;
66 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of the production opportunities in horticultural sector
 Districts have made commitment to attract investments
in producing raw materials to feed the established
industries as per Government motto; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
4. Legumes Farming: Soya beans and Pigeon Peas
Overview of investment opportunities for legumes
Key features  Investing in commercial large-scale production of soya
and pigeon peas, possibly using the existing paddy
farms as a second crop; and
 Enter into contract farming with smallholder farmers
to raise yield per unit area and raise the quality of
legumes, especially pigeon peas and soybeans in highly
demanded in the Indian and Chinese markets.
Preferred
locations
 Songea DC: A total of 179,120 ha;
 Madaba DC: 865.2 ha;
 Mbinga DC: 3,554 ha;
 Mbinga TC: 1,200 ha;
 Namtumbo DC: 1,500 ha;
 Nyasa DC: 6,570 ha; and
 Tunduru DC: 3,339 ha.
Investment
rationale
 There is already a confirmed demand for legumes in
India and China; and
 The current level of production of legumes, such as soya
beans and pigeon peas, is far below the demand in the
local and export markets.
Available support
 LGAs are committed to provide conducive environment
for acquiring land for large scale farming and/or
facilitating contract farming with smallholder farmers;
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 67
5. Cashew Commercial Farming
Overview of investment opportunities in cashew production
Key features
 Expansion of farming of cashews in the traditional
producing LGA of Tunduru; and
 Commence production on other LGAs such as Madaba,
Songea and Nyasa.
Preferred
locations for
expanded
growing of
cashew trees
 Madaba DC: Madaba, Mkongotema, Lutukila and
Mbangamawe (except in 3 wards, 5 can support cashew
in a total of 8 villages);
 Songea DC: Rusonga area has over 40468.6 ha suitable
for cashew farming;
 Tunduru DC: At Mtyangibole, Isingo and Matumbi; also
noticed increased production from 8,072.6 tonnes in
2014/15 to 9,788.1 tonnes in 2015/16; and
 Namtumbo DC: Lusewa suitable with mature trees;
others are Mchomoro, Magazini, Kikuyu, and Lisimonji. It
is possible to later establish factories at 3 industrial areas:
VETA-Soluti (6.5 ha); Lusenti Mahengo (10.1 ha); and
Mandepwende (40.5 ha) - need some compensation.
Investment
rationale
 Suitable land is available for investment in large-scale
commercial production of cashew trees in areas with
ideal climatic and soil conditions;
 The region has the potential to produce more cashew
nuts because land is available and the market for coffee
is growing; and
 Local knowledge and interest: easier for take-off in
increased production because there is already local
knowledge in cashew planting and raising seedlings.
Available support
 National campaign to produce more cashew nuts in
response to increased global demand;
 CBT supports commercial cashew;
 Naliendele Research Centre; and
 LGAs are committed to provide conducive environment
for acquiring land for large-scale farming.
68 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
6. Large-scale Commercial Coffee Farming
Overview of investment opportunities in coffee production
Key features  Opening new coffee farms in Mbinga DC, Nyasa DC,
Songea DC and Madaba DC;
 Adopting irrigation farming to enhance productivity
 Supporting existing smallholder farmers to produce
more coffee from existing farms by investing in new
technologies and husbandry practices; and
 Two models are recommended:
o Own land developed for fresh plantation of coffee
and applying modern farming methods such as drip
irrigation; and
o Investor can have some demonstration farms and
support smallholder farmers in block farmers on
their own land with technical inputs and access to
markets for their produce.
Preferred
locations
 Mbinga DC: Mihango Village - Kigonsera (over 1,000 ha)
and Nkurumusi area (approximately 80.9 ha); Kihungu
and Kikolo areas;
 Nyasa DC: Mpepo Division (5,736.6 ha), Upolo (813 ha),
Ndondo (20.2 ha) and Malungu (40.5 ha). New factory
can be set up at Kingilikiti Ward;
 Madaba DC: Land available at Maweso Village,
Matetereka Ward and Wino Ward;
 Songea DC: Lusonga area with over 40468.6 ha, Kizuka
and Ndongosi; and
 Mbinga TC: Luhangai, Mbangamao, Kikolo, and Lipilipili
have suitable land for coffee farming.
Investment
rationale
 Suitable land is available for Investment in commercial
large-scale production of coffee in areas with ideal
climatic and soil conditions;
 The region has the potential to produce more amount
of coffee because land is available and the market for
coffee is growing; and
 Local knowledge and interest: easier for take-off in
increased production because there is already local
knowledge in coffee planting and raising seedlings.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 69
Overview of investment opportunities in coffee production
Available
support
 CBT;
 Mbinga Cooperative Society;
 Existing coffee curing plants;
 LGAs have shown commitment to provide conducive
environment for acquiring land for large-scale farming
and/or facilitating contract farming with smallholder
farmers;
 Some LGAs are ready to facilitate joint ventures between
potential investors and local private investors; and
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels.
7. Bee-keeping and Manufacturing of Modern Bee-hives
Overview of investment opportunities in manufacturing of bee-hives and
bee-keeping support
Key features
 Need to invest in modern bee-hives for honey trapping;
 Establish a factory for beehives; and
 Can operate through cooperatives and groups of bee
keepers to modernise their beehives.
Preferred
locations
 Songea DC: Liganga Forest, Litowa Forest, Muhukuru
Forest, Kilagana Forest, and Matimila area;
 Madaba DC: Wino, Matetereka, Matumbi and Ndogota
areas (e.g. Magimbo and Ifinga villages);
 Mbinga DC: Lipembe miombo woodlands (323.7 ha);
 Namtumbo DC: 75 percent of Namtumbo is miombo
woodlands forest. Most suitable locations are all the
15 villages some of them set aside to engage in bee
keeping within Mchomolo Natural Forest; and
 Tunduru DC: Bee keeping can also be introduced in
Tunduru as an integrated approach in controlling
wildlife from Selous National Park straying into villages
and destroying crops.
70 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunities in manufacturing of bee-hives and
bee-keeping support
Investment
rationale
 Madaba DC, with 72.8 percent of regional beehives,
is the only one with a relatively high proportion of
modern beehives compared to traditional hives. Honey
production is estimated at 3 tonnes per year;
 The numbers of traditional hives in Mbinga DC and
Namtumbo DC, are double and thrice the number of
modern hives, respectively;
 Most of the produced hives will be sold to associations
and individuals; and
 Market for modern bee hives available in other districts.
Available support
 LGAs have some reserved natural forests for the
purpose;
 Timber for making beehives is available in LGAs;
 Ideally, the investor should be prepared to work closely
with LGAs in organising small-scale bee keepers to
adopt modern hives and improved bee keeping
practices;
 Land for setting up factories is available in all LGAs;
 Sokoine University is setting up some presence in
Madaba that will most likely provide some muchneeded
expertise in beehive making; and
 Associations of beekeepers supported by Government;
while development partners support various beekeeping
programmes.
8. Beef Fattening and Dairy Farming
Overview of investment opportunity in beef fattening and dairy farming
Key features
 There is potential to buy some indigenous cattle and
fatten them before selling them at a higher price; and
 The investment should go hand in hand with the
establishment of fattening lots.
Preferred
locations
The following LGAs confirm the availability of ranching land:
 Songea DC has assigned some 8,711 ha at Magwamila
and 20,000 ha at Mpepai for cattle fattening and dairy
farming; and
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 71
Overview of investment opportunity in beef fattening and dairy farming
 Madaba DC has made available Government land at
Lutukila Village (12 ha) - also added 54,000 ha - for cattle
fattening, and at Ngadinda Village (6,000 ha owned by
Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries but open for subletting).
Investment
rationale
 In 2015 livestock sold through formal auctions as
follows: 14,881 cattle; 21,529 goats; 17,998 pigs and 225
sheep;
 Poultry sold amounted to 366,345 chickens;
 Only 20,000 dairy cows in whole region;
 High demand for quality meat in the region by both
domestic consumers and tourists;
 Meat industries (like all other industries) will generate
employment to the people of the region; and
 Road network to Mtwara Port and Lake Nyasa cargo
vessels provide appropriate transport systems for
fattened animals to be transported live to customers
within Tanzania, Indian Ocean islands and in the EAC
market.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels;
 Good infrastructure, including roads and communication
networks, and markets.
9. Lake Fisheries, Aquaculture, Hatcheries and Fish Feeds
The relatively low harvests from Lake Nyasa are attributed to relatively smaller
fishing vessels that cannot reach far from the shores. Opportunity is therefore
available to manufacture modern fishing boats.
Overview of the opportunity: boat making, deep lake fishing, aquaculture
and manufacturing of fish feeds
Key features  Manufacturing of modern boats using already built
facility at Mbamba Bay Port;
 Installing fish cages in suitable sites along Lake Nyasa
 Developing fish ponds;
 Hatcheries to produce fingerlings to farmers using fish
cages and fish ponds; and
 Manufacturing fish feeds and supply to fish farmers.
72 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of the opportunity: boat making, deep lake fishing, aquaculture
and manufacturing of fish feeds
Preferred
investment areas
 Mbamba Bay area (Lake Nyasa fisheries);
 Nyasa-Kilosa Division in Lundo Island: 400 species of
ornamental fish;
 Tunduru DC (for fish from River Ruvuma) and fish
farming at Masonga Ward, Kitanda, and Mchoteka; and
 Namtumbo DC: Fish farming at Mkongo, Mtakuja,
Msindo, Likuyu, and Mwangaza sites owned by village
governments.
Investment
rationale
 Fishing from the Tanzanian side is relatively at lower
levels due to low investments;
 Fish farming at household level could easily increase
household incomes as well as improve nutrition; and
 A workshop has already been built; what is now
needed is investment in equipment and expertise.
Available support  Some institutions such as the ESRF are already
providing training in aqua culture;
 Support by National Fish Policy 2015: Government has
strongly supported investment in aquaculture training,
with degree programmes at Sokoine University of
Agriculture and the University of Dar es Salaam, and
skills training at Mbegani Fisheries Development
Centre and FETA; and
 Tanzania will be one of the beneficiaries (along with
Uganda and Kenya) of a major EU-funded project (up to
EUR10 million) - Support to Promoting Aquaculture in
the East Africa Community.
10. Poultry Farming
Overview of Investment opportunities in poultry farming
Key features
 Establishment of chick hatcheries for supply to poultry
farms;
 Establishment of poultry farms; and
 Supply of incubators and brooding machines.
Preferred locations  Suitable in all the LGAs without exception.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 73
Overview of Investment opportunities in poultry farming
Investment
rationale
 In 2015 some 366,345 chickens were reported to have
been sold through formal channels;
 The climate of Ruvuma Region in all the districts is
ideal for raising chicken for meat and eggs;
 Chicken feed made from by-products of processed
fish, oilseeds, maize and paddy, are easily obtained
from within the region;
 Increasing urban population in Ruvuma Region,
Tanzania and the EAC region offers a ready market for
poultry, meat and eggs; and
 Increasing purchasing power of the population also
means more people will be able to purchase chicken
meat, which is usually more expensive compared to
beef.
Available support
 National Livestock Policy (2006) supports animal
feeds processing; and
 Existence of Tanzania Animal Feeds Manufactures
Association (TAFMA) which provides a common
forum for all animal feeds manufacturers in Tanzania.
11. Support Services for Increasing the Stock of Improved Stock of Beef and
Dairy Cattle
Overview of investments opportunities in AI for improved cattle stock
Key features  Artificial Insemination (AI) centres in collaboration with
LGAs (under PPP model);
 Mobile Veterinary Services (MVS) for outreach to
recently entered and now resident Maasai and Sukuma
pastoralists;
 Production and supply of heifers to farmers; and
 Establishment of a dairy farm in addition to those
owned by Roman Catholic Nuns in Madaba and
Peramiho.
Preferred locations  Nyasa DC has set aside 20.2 ha at Mpepo.
Investment
rationale
 Achieving high productivity with more milk per animal
will augur well with the new investments in milk
processing industries.
74 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investments opportunities in AI for improved cattle stock
Available support
 Livestock policy and development programmes
support expansion of dairy farming; and
 Government is determined to support private sector
efforts to improve productivity through better cross
breeding.
12. Introduction of Cocoa, Vanilla, Pineapples and Sugarcane
These commodities do not have established track records in the region6:
Overview of investment opportunities in cocoa, pineapple and
sugarcane farming
Key features
 Starting cocoa farms: cocoa is among the commodities
produced in neighbouring districts of Kyela, with
similar agro-ecological conditions to those in parts of
Nyasa, Mbinga and Madaba districts;
 Pineapples and vanilla farming: although not grown
in large numbers, pineapple and vanilla can do
well in most parts of the region, especially Madaba,
Namtumbo, and lower parts of Tunduru; and
 Sugarcane farming in Madaba and Songea Districts.
Preferred locations Subject to soil suitability results, land could be availed for
the two crops in:
 Madaba DC: sugarcane- potential area at Hanga and
Lutukila rivers feeding into Luhuhu (approximately
1000 ha), and at Gumbilo and Mtyangibole areas (300
ha owned by village governments). Farmers are already
organised but need capital injection;
 Songea DC: Sugarcane farming in Liganga Ward,
Mdundwala Basin at Mtopesi (Mr Lutengano has 161.9
ha, needs partnership), and in Ruvuma and Luhila river
basins;
 Mbinga DC: vanilla and pineapple farming; and
6 These ideas were flashed by the Regional Commissioner during the final debriefing meeting
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 75
Overview of investment opportunities in cocoa, pineapple and
sugarcane farming
 Nyasa DC: cocoa and vanilla farming.
Investment
rationale
 The market for fruits is expanding;
 Land for production is available; and
 Investors are welcome to use research results on soil
suitability from Uyole and Naliendele agricultural
research centres.
Available support
 ASDP-II supports introduction of new commodities;
 Research stations at Uyole and Naliendele; and
 Government is determined to support private sector
efforts to improve productivity by supplying better
yielding crop varieties.
3.3.3 Natural Resources Beneficiation
1. Forest Plantations, Saw Mills and Furniture Making
Overview of investments opportunities in forest plantations and
timber products
Key features
 Establishment of modern saw mills; and
 Establishment of furniture factory.
Preferred areas
 Namtumbo DC has the largest area (540,036.6 ha);
 Tunduru DC has 323,125 ha of forests. A factory can be
built at Malumba Ward (one can get more than 80.9
ha from Namasakata, Nampungu, and Nalasi village
governments). Additional 20.2 ha are available at
Mlingotini Mashariki Ward;
 Songea MC: 7,632 ha;
 Madaba DC: Wino, Matetereka, and Matumbi (status:
SUA occupies 10,000 ha at industrial area, 10,000
ha at Ifinga is for TFS, and Wino Wood 10117.1 ha).
Mkongotema and Uwima have also about 25,000 ha;
76 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investments opportunities in forest plantations and
timber products
 Mbinga TC: Around Mount Lihumbe (about 183 ha
available), and Luangai Hills (about 200 ha); and
 Nyasa: Upolo, Mpepo and Malungu villages can provide
approximately121.4 ha (buying is also possible).
Investment
rationale  In 2015 had a total of 1,283,870 ha of natural forest
reserves;
 It is one way of generating employment for youth;
 Sawdust can be used for charcoal making; and
 Tree planting is also big business: for example, in Mbinga
TC all 29 streets and 49 villages need re-forestation.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels; and
 Increase of excise duty on imported furniture (2017/18
Budget Speech).
3.3.4 Service Sector: Land Use Services, Hotels, Recreational
Facilities and Transport Logistics
1. Land Use Plans and Real Estate Development
Most of the land in the region is not surveyed and has no title deeds. It also
lacks land use plans except in limited parts of urban areas. The Government
has formalised outsourcing of such services from private companies who can
provide the much-needed skilled human resource and modern equipment
for land surveying, i.e. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) and geo-system
or programme used for drawing maps.
Overview of investment opportunities in surveying and land titling and
real estate development
Key features
 Surveys to demarcate and prepare maps for different
uses, such as commercial, business and farms;
 Preparation of title deeds of the surveyed land; and
 Real estate development.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 77
Overview of investment opportunities in surveying and land titling and
real estate development
Preferred locations All LGAs need this service but mostly needed as a matter of
urgency in the newly created LGAs, namely:
 Nyasa DC: Likwilu housing area (about 3.2 ha); Kilosa-
Juu (about 2.02 ha), Kilosa Mhalo Beach (about 1.6 ha).
These are surveyed planned areas, so they have to be
compensated; and
 Namtumbo DC: Land owned by District Council: VETA
Suluti (planned area for housing estate: 4.01 ha); and
Lusenti Mahengo (2.8 ha).
Investment
rationale
 Producers in need of warehouses to mitigate negative
effects of seasonal price fluctuations; and
 Need for more professional storage facility.
Available support
 National policies allow private sector operators to
complement Government efforts;
 Songea Regional Land Office and Mtwara Zone Land
Office to support;
 National Association of Land Surveyors; and
 Ardhi University to support in newest technologies in
surveying and mapping.
2. Social Services Parks in all LGAs
Overview of investment opportunities in development of parks for social
services
Key features  Social services cluster: Passenger transportation
stations; well-being centres; learning centres (preprimary,
primary and secondary schools and vacation
training centres); shopping malls; and modern and
specialised hospitals;
 Mbamba Bay Port: A site has already been identified,
and land owners have been compensated to pave way
for the construction of an expanded and modern port;
 Hospitality industry: hotels, restaurants, recreation
centres, and tourism;
78 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunities in development of parks for social
services
 Market centres: modern markets in all LGAs; and
 Commercial business and trade services centre:
business centre; financial and insurance centre; trade
centre with an agro-commodity exchange; supply
chain service centre; and cold chain trucks.
Investment
rationale
 Need for a well-designed and participatory planned
sustainable development approach where Government
can easily support and/or provide public goods such as
electricity, communication facilities, water, roads, and
security to investors;
 Need of public and private investments in urban
planning and urban infrastructure development
to have well planned towns in line with laws and
regulations; and
 Ruvuma Region must take advantage of its strategic
geographic position to develop industries that can
produce goods at competitive costs for penetrating
and accessing the EAC, SADC and COMESA trading
blocs through land, water and air ways.
Available support
 Strong support by national and regional authorities;
 Ruvuma Region has established a unit dedicated to
investment promotion to work closely with the TIC
Zone Office based in the region; and
 Government has promised to solve the problem of
electricity supply in due course.
3. Health Care Facilities: Hospitals, Health Centres and Dispensaries
Overview of investments opportunities in health facilities
Key features
 One dispensary serves 3-5 villages/mitaa (against a
target of 1:1 ratio); and
 One health centre serves 5-10 wards (against the policy
of 1:1 ratio).
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 79
Overview of investments opportunities in health facilities
Preferred locations
 Tunduru: Kadewele area ideal for hospitals; and
 All LGAs want to have private owned hospitals to
supplement Government centres.
Investment
rationale
 District hospitals are under-equipped and understaffed;
 New Government district hospitals are being planned
for Nyasa and Madaba districts so investors should find
out what additional facilities might be needed in LGAs
with established hospitals;
 There is shortage of good quality facilities in all LGAs;
 Purchasing power has improved and people can afford
to get better services; and
 Universal health insurance has been introduced so
health care facilities are assured of patients who can
settle bills.
Available support
 National health insurance scheme; and
 Government policy for universal primary health cover.
4. Warehousing for Commodities and Industrial Inputs
Overview of investment opportunities in warehousing
Key features
 New warehouses for storage of agricultural commodities
 Cold storage facilities;
 Managing warehouses for storage of agricultural
commodities, especially those under the Warehouse
Receipt System; and
 Renovation of old warehouses owned by cooperatives
and Government.
Preferred locations
 Namtumbo DC: site near prisons area in Namtumbo
Town and some designated areas for industries and
warehouses.
Investment
rationale
 Ruvuma Region belongs to the so-called “Big Six Grain
Basket Regions”;
 There is always surplus that lacks storage facilities, there
by necessitating emergency measures by Government
80 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investment opportunities in warehousing
to save grain stocks temporarily stored in the open;
 Producers in need of warehouses to mitigate negative
effects of seasonal price fluctuations; and
 Need for post-harvest technologies suitable for
smallholder farmers.
Available support
 Agricultural marketing policy and laws; and
 Commodity warehousing legislation.
5. Tourist Hotels and Camp Sites
Overview of investments opportunities in tourism services
Key features
 Building tourist hotels along the lake shores and at
game reserves:
 Camp site and hotels;
 Surface transportation facilities of tourists;
 Water transport vessels;
 Helicopters for site seeing; and
 Cultural tourism centres.
Preferred locations
 Nyasa DC: Pomonda Stone and Cave at Liuli Village;
constructing hotels and zoos at Lundo Island;
ornamental fishes with approximately 600 species,
climbing Mt. Livingstone;
 Namtumbo DC: Three Wildlife Management Areas
(WMAs) (Mbarangándu, Kisungile and Kimbanda); Wards:
Mchomolo, Lusewa and Namtumbo; also adjacent to
Selous National Park; and
 Tunduru DC: Chingoli and Nalika areas (engaging in
guided tours, hunting, and recreation).
Investment
rationale
 Some districts with tourist attractions lack good tourist
hotels, forcing tourists to travel long distances from the
attractions; and
 In view of the above, district residences miss the
opportunities to earn incomes from tourism.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 81
Preferred locations All LGAs have identified their preferred locations for hotels,
natural and historical sites that can attract tourists:
 Madaba DC: Gesamasoa and Ifinga (they are a category
2 reserves with high potential);
 Tunduru DC: Chingoli and Nalika areas (engaging in
tour guides, hunting, and recreation); and
 Namtumbo DC: Likuyu Dam, Mgombasi Falls, Ruvuma
River (hippos and crocodiles). Attractions: caves (e.g.
Bikira Maria at Kitanda); wildlife; flowers; slave caves
(slaughter of slaves); and Linore (with ancient mosque
also used for tradition warship).
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels;
 Land will be made available for construction of
hotels, camping sites and airstrips; in some of these
investments, PPP arrangements are envisaged. Some
of these arrangements will be through joint ventures
between private citizens and potential investors but
to be facilitated by district councils. Currently, local
governments are allowed by law to undertake some
investments in their areas with or without PPP; and
 Good infrastructure that includes road and
communication networks, electricity and markets.
6. Sports Stadium and Recreation Centres
Overview of investments opportunities in sports and recreation facilities
Key features
 Only two stadia (Majimaji and Zimalimoto) at Songea
MC; other towns have none;
 Multi-purpose facilities; and
 Single purpose facilities.
Preferred locations
 Songea DC: a site at Peramiho Ward (40.5 ha) for
development of a sports centre;
 Tunduru DC: some land is available at Mlingotini Ward;
 Madaba DC: some land is available;
 Mbinga DC: some land in Kigonsera Ward; and
 Nyasa DC: some land in Kilosa Ward.
82 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investments opportunities in sports and recreation facilities
Investment
rationale
 Population increase and in need of recreational
facilities; and
 Increased purchasing power so people can afford to
pay entry fees for entertainment.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels with respect to the importance of sports, as
well as cultural and recreation centres.
7. Urban Transport System and Services: Bus Stations and Vehicle Parking
Facilities
Overview of investments opportunities in urban transport systems and
allied services
Key features
 Construction of modern bus stations to facilitate
passenger transportation; and
 Construction of parking lots for trucks in towns and
trading centres to facilitate cargo transportation.
Preferred locations
 Songea MC: special parking for lorries; and
 All LGAs need facilities in their headquarters and some
growing urban centres.
Investment
rationale
 The towns are expanding very fast and are attracting
more business transactions and trade with the rest of
Tanzania;
 The number of trucks has increased due to ferrying coal
from Ruvuma Region to Tanga and Mtwara regions,
and to neighbouring countries of Kenya, Uganda and
Rwanda;
 The dynamics of passenger transportation have also
changed after the completion of Mbinga-Songea-
Tunduru-Lindi-Dar tarmac road. More pressure for such
facilities is expected after completion of Mbamba Bay
to Mbinga road; and
 Economic activities are already increasing, as evidenced
by increasing GDP and GDP per capita.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 83
Overview of investments opportunities in urban transport systems and
allied services
Available support
 Political support from national, regional and local levels;
and
 Songea MC has allocated land for the construction of
the International Bus Terminal.
8. Modern Markets, Shopping Malls and Conference Facilities in Towns
Overview of investments opportunities in marketing and shopping facilities
Key features Construction of the following facilities in response to
increasing population and growing economy of the region:
 Shopping malls and offices;
 Conference halls;
 Markets for livestock;
 Business complexes;
 Classic restaurants and meeting rooms; and
 Kids playing facilities.
Preferred locations
 In all LGAs, starting with those which have already
identified land for such investments;
 Songea MC: Tanga Ward (16.2 ha), Makingida (sports
park), Mkuzo Social (Hall) Centre at Mfaranyaki;
 Mbinga TC: Area still under planning/design stage
and will be ready end of 2018. But there are recreation
centres at Soko-la-Wakulima area at Mbinga-Mji ‘A’
(approximately 300 sq.m - 50x60);
 Tunduru DC: Some unspecified amount of land
available at Mlingotini Ward, Kadewele Ward (Diasi
Village) and Biasi area (near planned new bus terminal);
 Tunduru DC: At Lukumbule Border area (Tanzania -
Mozambique border); and
 Nyasa DC: Kilosa area.
Investment
rationale
 Existing markets are inadequate: to decongest the
current ones whose capacity is overwhelmed by
increased population;
 Shopping malls will generate employment to the
people of the region;
84 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of investments opportunities in marketing and shopping facilities
 Value added agro- products from investments
on horticultural both for domestic, regional and
international markets; and
 Increased domestic and foreign revenues.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local levels;
 Land is available for construction of shopping malls;
and
 Good infrastructure, including road and communication
networks, electricity supply and markets.
9. Solid Waste Management and Utilisation for Biogas Production and
Organic Fertiliser
Overview of investment opportunities in recycling of urban and
farm solid wastes
Key features Growing urban centres such as Songea MC and farm
residues, as well as by-products from agro-processing all do
generate thousands of tonnes of organic matter that could
be transformed into:
 Electricity through combustion and steam-driven
turbines;
 Bio-gas; and
 Charcoal briquettes (from farm waste).
A site for a waste recycling project has been identified in
Songea Municipality and Mbinga TC.
Preferred locations
 Songea MC produces the highest amount of urban
waste, while other LGAs generate more farm waste.
This means, depending on project feasibility study and
technology for waste processing, all LGAs are good
candidates for this type of investment;
 Songea MC generate about 100 tonnes per day; and
 Mbinga DC: for coal briquettes - enough stock available.
Investment
rationale
 Alternative source of energy for domestic and
commercial uses;
 Initiative to reduce climate change effects;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 85
Overview of investment opportunities in recycling of urban and
farm solid wastes
 Increasing the life span of landfill;
 Reducing green house effects; and
 Creating job opportunities.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels for clean energy.
3.3.5 Capacity Development
1. Private Primary and Secondary Schools
Overview of opportunities in primary and secondary schools
Key features
Construction of school buildings for:
 Science-based secondary and high schools;
 English medium primary schools; and
 Pre-primary preparatory centres.
Preferred
investment areas
All LGAs are expressing requirement, but mostly in:
 Songea MC: land at Tanga Ward (671.4 ha) and in Sinai
Ward (Mr Issa Nyoni has 80.9 ha;
 Nyasa DC: Malungu area can donate land for a girls’
secondary school;
 Madaba DC: There are surveyed plots on sale for those
who will need;
 Namtumbo DC: VETA Suluti area, and privately-owned
land (4.05 ha) for PPP or purchase from Mr. Mussa
Sengo at Sabato area;
 Tunduru DC: Need to invite private surveying
companies to team up with the Council on Public
Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements
 Mbinga DC: Land available at Mloweka Street (but
needs compensation); and
 LGAs have set aside some land for construction of
education facilities.
Investment
rationale
 Pass rates in secondary schools is below optimal level;
 Human resource is a central element in agricultural and
industrial development;
86 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
 Lack of adequately trained workforce may impede
attraction of investments in Ruvuma Region;
 Quality education at primary and high school levels is a
potential investment area; and
 There are investment opportunities in privately-owned
primary and secondary schools.
Available support
 Existing support for improvements of the education
sector in the country; and
 Increased awareness of people on the importance of
educating their children.
2. Vocational Training Centres
Overview of investment opportunities in vocational training centres
Key features
Establishing vocational training centres to offer skills needed
in running factories, farms and other investments.
Preferred areas
All LGAs express the need for vocational training centres,
although newly established LGAs highly need them:
 Nyasa DC: land available at Kilosa Chini, Linda, and
Mpepo Wards;
 Namtumbo DC: VETA Suluti (8.1 ha) and private land at
Migelegele, Lusewa, Minazini, and Mgombasi; and
 Tunduru: All wards may offer sites except Mlingoti East
and Majengo wards, which have no land available. For
example, Nandembo and Sisi-kwa-Sisi has land but it is
not surveyed.
Investment
rationale
 In 2015 some 6,564 young people completed Form
4, of whom less than 15 percent had pass marks for
Division I-III to qualify for advanced level schooling and
colleges;
 This implies 75 percent requires vocational type of
training;
 Demand for skills development is high, particularly in
the areas of primary value addition of horticultural and
honey products;
 In relation to the point above, all districts in Ruvuma
Region produce huge amount of horticultural products
but with hardly any skills for value addition;
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 87
Overview of investment opportunities in vocational training centres
 There is also high demand for well graded and well
packed fresh vegetables and fresh fruits; and
 There is also a high demand by secondary processors
for quality and graded horticultural products.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels.
3. Medical Facilities: Health Centres and Hospitals
There is still a need to invest in combating the prevalence of diseases such
as malaria, Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), pneumonia, diarrhoea, Urinary
Tract Infection (UTI), clinical Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS),
etc.; and shortage of human resource (especially nurses) and medicines.
Investment is needed in the construction of more health care facilities, e.g.
health centres, and provision of instruments/medicines and training of
health/medical personnel.
Overview of the opportunities in health care facilities
Key features  Public policy targets to reaching one health centre per
ward is far from being achieved;
 Investment in health centres in the region is badly
needed;
 Possibility of a referral private hospital is most welcome;
and
 Diagnostic centres are also needed.
Preferred locations
 Songea DC requires 15 health centres;
 Mbinga DC and Mbinga TC both require 14 health
centres;
 Mbinga DC has set aside 4.9 ha at Kigonsera Village for
building a nurses training college;
 Namtumbo DC requires 3 health centres; and
 Nyasa DC requires 4 health centres.
Investment
rationale
 Ruvuma Region has an increasing population that
requires medical care;
88 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
Overview of the opportunities in health care facilities
 The pace of public investments in expanding health
care facilities is slower compared to the increasing
human population and the target for one health centre
per ward; and
 Relatively more demand for health services especially
in the newly created districts.
Available support
 Policy and political support at national, regional and
local government levels; and
 District hospitals available in all LGAs except in Nyasa
(where 44 ha have been identified and drawings are ready
for approval) and Madaba (with plans to start process of
construction during the 2018/19 financial year).
3.4 Investments with National Scope
1. Marine Transport
Although marine transportation can be considered to have improved in
Ruvuma Region compared to previous years, there is still demand for more
vessels to take cargo and passengers.
Overview of investments opportunities in the marine transportation
Key features  Water transportation of passengers and goods is an
expanding opportunity to increasing population
and improving economic conditions of the people in
Ruvuma Region and around Lake Nyasa;
 Introducing more scheduled vessels between Ruvuma
and major towns;
 Introducing boats for water sports; and
 Introducing tourist cruise ferries/ships.
Investment
rationale
 Need to offer competition to existing vessels;
 Low capacity of existing vessels plying between lake
shore towns; and
 Demand for commodities produced in Ruvuma to be
supplied in towns in neighbouring Malawi.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 89
Overview of investments opportunities in the marine transportation
Available support
 Marine transport policy and laws protect air transport
business;
 Patrol boats in place; and
 New radar system to ensure the lake is secure and safe.
2. Finance and banking Services
Although there are about five financial institutions with a national scope that
provide financial services in Ruvuma Region, none of them provide longterm
development finance suitable for industrial investments.
Overview of investment opportunities in the banking sector
Key features In need of new banks or improvements in existing banks:
 Banking facilities in support of agricultural and livestock
production;
 Banking facilities to support agro-processing industries
and other industrial and service sector investments;
 Banking facilities to support manufacturing based on
the region’s natural resources; and
 Trade financing facilities.
Investment
rationale
 The Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB)
is a national bank dedicated to support long-term
agricultural investments in the agricultural sector. It
cannot handle all the applications and so there is a
need for additional support from the private sector;
 The Tanzania Investment Bank (TIB) offers long-term
development financing for industrial development. It
cannot handle all the bankable projects; and
 Most of the banks offer commercial loans that are not
suitable for long investment financing.
Available support
 Licensing of financial institutions is done by the Bank of
Tanzania;
 Finance and banking policies provide attractive
conditions for the banking sector;
 Monetary and fiscal policies have led to macroeconomic
stability with controlled inflation rates; and
 Security to businesses and banks throughout the
region.
90 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
PART FOUR
FACILITATION, PROCESSES,
REQUIREMENTS AND INCENTIVES
Most of the policies and laws, unless specified, are applicable nationally
for specific sectors. LGAs, through the blessings of the city, town or district
full Councils, are mandated to enact by-laws and notices that must also
be endorsed by the Minister responsible for that sector, although most
of the time the Minister responsible for Regional Administration and
Local Government (RALG) is responsible for gazetting such by-laws and
notices. Below is a summary of issues related to facilitation, processes,
requirements, and incentives for investment in Tanzania in general, and
in Ruvuma Region specifically.
4.1 Supportive Policies and Legal Environment
The key investment policies, laws, strategies, plans and programmes
that are promoting investment in the region are presented below.
4.1.1 Policies, Legal, Institutional and Regulatory Considerations
A. Key policies
Policies to guide investment promotion and interventions in Ruvuma
Region’s relevant areas are: National Investment Promotion Policy
(1996); National Agricultural Policy (2013); National Livestock Policy
(2006); Sustainable Industrial Development Policy (SIDP) (1996-2020);
National Trade Policy for Competitive Economy and Export-led Growth
(2003); National Microfinance Policy(2000); National Forest Policy
(1998); Bee Keeping Policy (1998); Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Policy (2003); National Land Policy (1995); National
Environmental Policy (2017); The Mineral Policy of Tanzania (2009);
Tanzania Mining Industry Investor’s Guide (2015); and Ruvuma Region
Authority Development Plans as well as the political will of the region
to attract investors.
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 91
B. Key laws
The major laws and regulations that guide investment promotion and
activities in Ruvuma Region are: Tanzania Investment Act (1997); Tax
Legislations; Land Act (1999); Village Land Act (1999); Mining Act (1998);
Tanzania Bureau of Standards Act (2009); Tanzania Food and Drugs Act (2003)
and Regulations; Plant Protection Act (1997) and Regulations; The Mining Act
(2010); The Mining Regulations (2012); and other sector Acts and relevant
Ruvuma Region bylaws.
4.1.2 Strategies, Plans, and Programmes
The key strategies, plans and programmes are: Annual Regional Plans
and Annual Reports; PO-RALG Reports; District Council Development
Plans; FYDP II; Agricultural Sector Development Strategy and Programme
(ASDP II) 2017-2022; Livestock Sector Development Programme (2011);
Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment’s Reports; and Integrated
Industrial Development Strategy (IIDS 2025). Others are the National
Rice Development Strategy; Tanzania Agriculture and Food Security
Investment Plan; and Agricultural Growth Corridor in Tanzania.
The above policies, regulatory frameworks, strategies and plans support the
investment climate in Ruvuma Region by sound frameworks that offer an
appropriate environment, which encourages investments in the region. The
key issue is for the regional leadership to make sure that the processes and
requirements outlined below are interpreted and adapted earnestly at the
regional and local level.
The leadership of Ruvuma Region is determined to be doing that and to
ensuring speedy implementation of the prioritised investment opportunities
and put in place a climate that is conducive to investing in the region.
4.1.3 Investment Options: Private, PPP, PPCP, and Joint Ventures
Investment options available in Tanzania include individual private sector
investments, PPP, Public-Private Community Partnerships (PPCP) and Joint
Ventures (JV).
92 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
A. Public-Private Partnerships
The Government recognises the role of private sector in bringing about
socio-economic development through investments. PPP frameworks
provide an important instrument for attracting investments. Indeed, PPP
have been identified as viable means to effectively address constraints of
financing, management and maintenance of public goods and services.
The public sector, through PPP, is encouraged to maximise synergies
between the public and private sectors in mobilising and deploying
resources. The PPP approach has been widely used in other countries
to finance infrastructure and other long-term investment projects. The
approach is a way to amalgamate public and private capital and expertise
for public projects in which the private sector has interest in sharing
ownership.
The PPP Act (2010) and PPP Regulations (2011) give areas of collaboration,
which comprise of investment capital, managerial skills and technology.
Additionally, PPPs can enable the Government to fulfil its responsibilities
in efficient delivery of socio-economic goods and services by ensuring
efficiency, effectiveness, accountability, quality and outreach of service.
The concept of PPP entails an arrangement between public and private
sector entities whereby the private entity renovates, constructs, operates,
maintains, and/or manages a facility in whole or in part, in accordance with
specified output specifications. The private entity assumes the associated
risks for a significant period of time and, in return, receives benefits and
financial remuneration according to agreed terms. PPPs constitute a
cooperative venture built on the synergy of expertise of each partner that
best meets clearly defined public needs through the most appropriate
allocation of resources, risks and rewards.
Most PPPs implemented in Tanzania are concession arrangements for
running existing enterprises with limited provisions for rehabilitation
and new investments. It is noteworthy that in the case of services, PPPs
have been implemented successfully by Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs)
in education, health and water sectors for many years. Private sector
participation in areas previously treated as the monopoly of the public
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 93
sector has made major contributions to increasing the pace of growth and
development in many countries.
B. Public-Private Community Partnerships
This is a variant of PPP in that it includes communities/villages where the
nature of a project requires that community resources (such as land) become
part of a project, which both the public (particularly LGAs) and the private
sectors are interested to invest in.
C. Joint ventures
The Tanzanian Government encourages joint ventures between domestic
firms or individuals and foreign investors. Many foreign firms have recently
partnered with the National Development Corporation (energy), Tanzania
Petroleum Development Corporation (bio-fuels), and the National Housing
Corporation (real estate ventures).
4.2 Facilitation: Processes and Requirements
Ruvuma Region and Central Government have set and are striving to improve
the investment climate to entice and facilitate investment in the region, and
ensure speedy decision making. The region has the obligation to interpret and
adapt these processes, requirements and incentives for investment to fit the
region’s investment profile and priorities. These processes and requirements
are subject to changes towards improvements from time to time.
4.2.1 Lead Institution
TIC is a one-stop agency of the GoT established under the Tanzania Investment
Act No. 26 of 1997 to promote, co-ordinate and facilitate investment in
Tanzania. The Centre is a focal point for all investors and performs all liaison
work for the investor from enquires right up to project start up.
The minimum investment capital threshold for an enterprise to qualify for
registration under the Centre is not less than US$ 500,000 if foreign or joint
venture owned, and US$ 100,000 for domestic investors. Under the onestop
facilitation agency, TIC assists all investors to obtain permits, licences,
94 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
approvals, authorisation, etc., required by other laws to set up and operate
investment ventures in Tanzania.
TIC contacts are:
Headquarters: Executive Director, Tanzania Investment Centre, Plot no; 9A&B,
Shaaban Robert Street, P.O Box 938,Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, Tél: 255 22
2113365/116328-32 Fax: 255 22 2118253, Email: information@tic.go.tz
4.2.2 Main Institutions Dealing with Investment in Tanzania and
Ruvuma Region
The main institutions dealing with investment issues in Ruvuma Region and
Tanzania at large are: TIC, BRELA, TRA, TANESCO, TBS, Ministry of Industry, Trade
and Investment (MITI), water supply companies in respective regions, municipal
authorities in respective districts (on land issues), Ministry of Water (MoW),
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF).
4.2.3 Registration
Registration of an investment can be undertaken at the local BRELA and TIC
district, regional or national offices and requires the following documentation:
(i) Memorandum and Articles of Association; (ii) Certificate of Registration or
Certificate of Incorporation; (iii) Investment Feasibility Study; (iv) Certificate of
Incentives in the case of projects approved by TIC; (v) Partnership Agreement
(deed), in the case of a partnership; (vi) Lease Agreement; (vii) Business
Enquiry Forms; (vii) IT 21 forms for companies and IT 20 forms for individuals;
and (viii) Company and Operators’ Certification of Registration for Tax Payer
Identification Number (TIN).
4.2.4 Central Government Taxes
The taxes involved in investment projects in Ruvuma Region are various, and
include the following:
A) Corporate Tax
Corporate tax is charged at the rate of 30 percent for both resident and
non-residents. In case of newly listed corporate to the Dar es Salaam Stock
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 95
Exchange, with at least 30 percent of its equity ownership issued to the
public for three consecutive years from the date of listing, corporate tax is 25
percent for both resident and non-resident.
Further, corporate bodies with perpetual unrelieved losses for three
consecutive years (excluding corporate bodies conducting agricultural
business, provision of health care or education), corporate tax is 0.3 percent
of annual turnover for resident corporate bodies. Other incentives under
corporate tax include a reduced rate from normal 30 percent to 20 percent
for a new entity dealing in manufacturing of pharmaceutical and leather
products, and 10 percent rate for corporations investing in a plant for
assembling motor vehicles, tractors and fishing auto boats.
B) Personal Income Taxes
Residents are subjected to personal income tax where total income exceeds
Tsh. 2,040,000 per annual. Income of a non-resident employee of a resident
employer is subject to withholding tax of 15 percent . The total income of
non-resident individual is chargeable at the rate of 20 percent (the monthly
income includes basic salary, overtime, bonus commission and other
allowances).
The Skills And Development Levy (SDL) are payable by any employer who
employs four or more persons; the rate is 4.5 percent of the gross wage.
Exempted employers from SDL include diplomatic missions, registered
education institutions, charitable organisations, farm employment, foreign
institutions dealing with technical assistance and the United Nation
Organisation and its agencies.
C) Withholding Taxes
Withholding taxes on dividends from corporations listed at the Dar es Salaam
Stock Exchange are 5 percent for both resident and non-resident persons.
Dividend from other corporations the rate is 10 percent . The rate withheld
on interest is 10 percent , and on Royalties is 15 percent for resident and nonresident
persons. Further, the rates withheld on management & technical
services fees [mining, oil and gas] are 5 percent for residents and 15 percent
for non-residents.
96 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
D) Value Added Tax (VAT)
VAT is a consumption tax charged at a single rate of 18 percent . Registration
is compulsory for any business that has a turnover of more than TZS 100
million per annum. However, there is an exception to registration of those
dealing with professional services, as they are required to be registered for VAT
regardless of their turnover. Applicants for VAT registration should complete
form Number VAT ITX245.02. E.
A registered taxpayer is required to file a VAT return monthly. Under VAT,
incentives include zero rate for all exports, VAT deferment on plant and
machinery, VAT exemption of imported plant and machinery by local
manufactures and processors of vegetable oils, textiles, pharmaceutical and
skins and leather manufactured in Tanzania Mainland.
VAT returns are supposed to be filed at the 20th day of the month after a
tax period. However, where the 20th day falls on Saturday, Sunday or public
holiday, the VAT return shall be lodged on the first working day following
Saturday, Sunday or holiday. For imports, VAT is payable at the time the import
duty is due and payable in accordance with East African Community Customs
Management Act, 2004.
Exports are zero rated under the VAT Act, 2014, which also provides for VAT
exemption. Exempt supplies and imports are provided in the schedule to the
VAT Act, Cap 148 r/w Finance Act 2017.
4.3 General Investment Incentives
Investors registered by Tanzania Investment Centre pursuant to Tanzania
Investment Act,1997 (TIA, 1997)are accorded various investment fiscal and
non-fiscal incentives as stipulated in various applicable tax and other laws.
Fiscal incentives under TIC include 100 percent import duty exemption on
capital goods and 75 percent on deemed capital goods (regarding deemed
capital goods, investor shall pay 25 percent of import duty due) Deemed
capital goods that are eligible for exemption are specified depending on the
project sector. Additional fiscal incentives may be granted to investments that
meet strategic investor status provided for under Section 20 of the TIA, 1997
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 97
Non-fiscal incentives include five automatic immigrant quotas granted to the
project during its implementation period, whereby additional quota may be
granted based on project size, technology or any other agreements with the
Government
EPZA also provides incentive packages according to Export Processing Zones
Act No. 11 of 2002.
Investments in Tanzania are guaranteed against nationalisation and
expropriation. Tanzania is a member of both the International Centre for
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSD) and MIGA.
Please Note: Information on Taxes and Investment incentives explained
above are subject to periodic changes as the government keeps on
improving investment climate in the country. Please contact Tanzania
Revenue Authority (www.tra.go.tz) and Tanzania Investment Centre
(www.tic.go.tz) for current updates.
4.4 Access to Resources
4.4.1 Land for Investment in Tanzania
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlement is mandated with
land management in Tanzania. Land in Tanzania is under three categories,
namely village lands, general lands and reserve lands.
According to the Land Act, the whole land of the United Republic of Tanzania
is owned by the public and the President as a Trustee. This means that land
in Tanzania is vested to the public, and citizens own land under leasehold
tenure.
Section 20 of the Land Act No. 4 of 1999 specifically provides for a procedure
to allocate/grant of land to non-citizens for investment purpose under
the Tanzania investment Act, 1997. Land for investment purpose shall be
identified, gazetted and allocated to the Tanzania Investment Centre, which
will issue a Derivative Right of Occupancy to the investor. More information
on acquisition of land for investment is available on www.ardhi.go.tz
98 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
4.4.2 Land for Investment in Ruvuma Region
Various parcels of land of different sizes have been earmarked by each district
council in Ruvuma Region and set aside for specific targeted investment. Such
land parcels have been listed in detail under Part Three of this Investment
Guide.
4.4.3 Banking and Financial Services
The banking sector in Tanzania has been booming, growing in assets and in
profits. Because of this, new merchant banks, commercial banks, bureau de
change, insurance companies, a stock exchange and related financial units
have entered the market.
There are four categories of banks, oriented towards different markets
and clientele operating in Tanzania: local private banks, regional banks,
international banks and multinational banks. Overall, the outlook for the
banking industry in Tanzania is very positive and there are appealing
opportunities for newcomers to the sector as investors and borrowers. Banks
are found in all districts of Tanzania.
Tanzania’s higher-than-average economic growth rate is fuelling the
emergence of an educated middle class that aspires to achieve a more
affluent lifestyle in which traditional depository, credit, insurance, and
investment products play an important role. The growth of this middle class is
expanding national demand for financial services from established providers
and could represent a new opportunity for financial services companies
looking for growth. Currently, there is a positive trend in lending to SMEs that
is producing greater confidence in their growth potential among financial
institutions, and more generally, in the economy as well, which is generating
a positive spiral. In addition, the Government is also introducing new laws
that are expected to enhance lending activities.
4.4.4 Labour
Ruvuma Region has surplus labour due to low employment. While some of
the labour is unskilled, there are efforts to build a skilled labour force especially
through vocational colleges. The region has nine vocational training centres,
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 99
and investors are welcome to build skills development institutions in every
council.
4.5 Inclusion and Participation of the Private Sector
The region plans to stimulate its industrial and economic development base
through attracting additional private and PPP investments in order to increase
its value addition in key sectors like agriculture, as well as manufacturing, to
strengthen competitiveness and to raise its GDP. The regional government
and district authorities are ready and committed to provide a series of further
support services and incentives to drive industrial development and growth
in the short, medium and long-term plans.
According to the national policies it is the role of the public sector to provide
basic enablers such as land, utilities, and infrastructure. These are normally
supported and constructed using district, regional and national public
budgets in addition to other resources or development partners’ support. It
is the private sector that is mainly supposed to play a major role in investing
in the region in the production, transportation, storage, processing, and
development of value chains and marketing of the products.
However, for the private sector to play its role effectively, Ruvuma Region
authorities will create an enabling environment through provision of
prerequisite infrastructure, incentives, formulation/review and enforcement of
investment friendly policies, regulations, and procedures. Regional authorities
will promote PPPs and PPCPs, and facilitate joint ventures between potential
investors and local private investors.
Such partnerships and joint ventures are critical for the achievement of
objectives of capital and technology intensive investments including build,
operate and transfer approach. In addition, the private sector will be assisted
in improving delivery, and enabled to thrive and be competitive by facilitating
access to affordable input and output factors nationally and internationally.
100 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
PART FIVE
KEY CONTACTS IN RUVUMA REGION
This part provides important contacts in the region which will help potential
investors in making follow up for the opportunities they want to invest in.
5.1 Key Websites
Office Website
Ruvuma Regional Secretariat http://www.ruvuma.go.tz
Songea MC http://www.songeamc.go.tz
Mbinga TC http://www.mbingatc.go.tz
Songea DC http://www.songeadc.go.tz
Mbinga DC http://www.mbingadc.go.tz
Nyasa DC http://www.nyasadc.go.tz
Tunduru DC http://www.tundurudc.go.tz
Namtumbo DC http://www.namtumbodc.go.tz
5.2 Key Contacts
5.2.1 Regional Commissioner’s Office
Office
Post
Office Box
Telephone/
Mobile Phone
E-mail
Regional
Commissioner
(RC)
P.O. Box 74,
Songea
+255 252602238
Fax: +255 252602144
ras.ruvuma@tamisemi.go.tz
Regional
Administrative
Secretary (RAS)
P.O. Box 74,
Songea
+255 252602256
Fax: +255 252602144
ras.ruvuma@tamisemi.go.tz
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 101
5.2.2 Songea MC
Office
Municipal Director
E-mail
Post Office Box
Telephone/
Mobile Phone
Mayor P.O. Box 14, Songea
+255 252602970
Fax: +255252602474
info@songeamc.go.tz
Municipal
Director
P.O. Box 14, Songea
+255 252602970
Fax: +255252602474
info@songeamc.go.tz
5.2.3 Town Council
Office
Town Director
Post Office E-mail
Box
Telephone/
Mobile Phone
Mbinga TC 135, Mbinga +255 25-2640664 ictsecurity@mbingatc.go.tz
5.2.4 District Councils
LGA
District Executive Director
Post Office E-mail
Box
Telephone/
Mobile Phone
Songea DC
995,
Songea
+255 25 2602320 dedsongea@songeadc.go.tz
Madaba DC 10, Madaba +255 762 880500 info@madabadc.go.tz
Mbinga DC
194,
Mbinga
+255 252640005/4
Fax: +255 252640005
mbingadc@mbingadc.go.tz
Nyasa DC
90,
Mbamba
Bay
Cell: +255252952003
Fax: +255252952005
ps.ded@nyasadc.go.tz
Tunduru DC
275,
Tunduru
+255 252680004
Fax: +255252680088
info@tundurudc.go.tz
Namtumbo DC
55,
Namtumbo
+255 2526 75008
Fax: +255 252675008
ded@namtumbodc.go.tz
102 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE
RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE | 103
104 | RUVUMA REGION INVESTMENT GUIDE