TANZANIA SEEKS DEEPER WORLD BANK COOPERATION ON ENERGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Finance Minister Khamis Mussa Omar has called for sustained World Bank cooperation, highlighting financing for strategic projects, electricity access, transport infrastructure and human capital development.
The Minister for Finance, Hon. Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar (MP), has thanked the World Bank for its contribution to strengthening development cooperation with Tanzania, particularly through financing strategic projects, human capital development, energy and transport infrastructure. He emphasised the importance of sustaining the partnership for the benefit of citizens and national economic growth.
He made the remarks during talks with the outgoing World Bank Executive Director for Africa Group 1, Dr Zarau Kibwe, on the sidelines of the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ambassador Omar acknowledged the World Bank’s support for Tanzania’s energy sector, noting that the partnership had contributed to efforts to expand electricity access and strengthen energy infrastructure, alongside Mission 300, which aims to increase access to electricity across Africa.
“Tanzania has benefited from nearly US$6 billion in financing under IDA20. Under IDA21, we have been allocated US$2.54 billion, with financing commitments exceeding US$760 million, while additional projects are being prepared for implementation,” Ambassador Omar said.
For her part, Dr Kibwe commended Tanzania’s progress in strengthening its partnership with the World Bank. She noted that the value of the development project portfolio between the two sides had grown from approximately US$4 billion when she assumed office to its current level.
Dr Kibwe emphasised the importance of Tanzania continuing to seize investment opportunities in infrastructure and mining sector development. She said Tanzania was among 30 countries being considered under a World Bank initiative aimed at advancing the development of the mining sector and mineral resources.
The meeting was also attended by Zanzibar’s Minister for Finance, Hon. Dr Juma Malik Akil; the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba; the Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office responsible for Planning and Executive Secretary of the Planning Commission, Dr Tausi Kida; and other senior government and World Bank officials.