MWE Correspondent
Tanzania’s Kwala Industrial Park is rapidly emerging as a center for major industrial investments, following the establishment of Africa’s largest solar panel manufacturing facility.
The new plant is expected to triple Tanzania’s exports to the United States while attracting investment exceeding two trillion Tanzanian shillings in the near future.
The facility, owned by a leading Tanzanian energy company, has been completed and is already having a transformative effect on the country’s industrial sector. Government officials described the project as “a new chapter in Tanzania’s industrial economy.” Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, the factory is the largest of its kind on the continent, producing high-quality solar panels for both domestic use and international export.
During a visit on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, by leaders from five sectoral ministries, the Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, said products from the facility will be shipped directly to the U.S. market. He revealed that the company has already invested 300 million U.S. dollars (approximately 725 billion Tanzanian shillings) in the first phase, with plans to inject an additional 500 million dollars (roughly 1.25 trillion shillings) next year, bringing total investment in the park to around two trillion shillings.
Also Read; UN Rights Chief Stresses Everyday Importance of Human Rights
Prof. Mkumbo also highlighted the development of Tanzania’s first steel processing factory within the industrial park, aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on imported steel. The facility, being developed by a new investor, will begin with an initial investment of 50 million dollars (about 125 billion shillings), further diversifying the park’s industrial capabilities.
Kwala Industrial Park Chairman, Janson Haung, emphasized that while the park has made significant progress, infrastructure demands remain high. The solar panel plant alone requires 50 megawatts of electricity and more than 5,000 cubic meters of water daily. Completion of the park is projected to generate 100,000 direct jobs and 500,000 indirect jobs, with the ultimate goal of establishing Kwala as Africa’s leading industrial hub.
The expansion of Kwala Industrial Park reflects Tanzania’s broader push to boost manufacturing, attract foreign investment, and strengthen its position in renewable energy and industrial sectors. Experts note that the combination of the solar panel plant and the steel-processing facility positions the country as a potential leader in Africa’s sustainable industrial development.
As the park grows, it is expected to provide critical employment opportunities, stimulate exports, and accelerate regional economic integration. The initiative demonstrates Tanzania’s commitment to building modern industrial infrastructure and creating an environment conducive to international investment in renewable energy technologies.
