Norway Boosts Tanzania’s Agricultural Sector with Strategic Partnerships and Financial Support

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania — On February 4, 2025, a landmark event in Tanzania’s agricultural development unfolded as the Royal Norwegian Embassy (RNE), in conjunction with the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO) and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), signed a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration underscores a robust commitment from Norway to support the expansion and enhancement of Tanzania’s agricultural framework, mainly by advancing the successful Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) model into three new Agricultural Growth Corridors: Mtwara, Central, and Northern.

This strategic initiative is part of a broader effort to implement ATO’s Flagship 7, the Agricultural Masters Plan, which aims to replicate the SAGCOT model’s successes across additional regions. With Norway’s contribution of $15 million, the project is designed to foster an enabling environment that attracts private investment and smooths out regulatory frameworks, facilitating a broader rollout of the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT) initiative.

Expanding SAGCOT’s Reach

During the ceremony, Hon. David Silinde, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, highlighted the Norwegian support as a significant boost for the SAGCOT Centre, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan has mandated to lead the adaptation of SAGCOT’s models to other agricultural corridors across the country. This move aligns with the President’s 2023 directive to amplify the reach and impact of farming practices developed under SAGCOT across Tanzania.

Hon. Silinde expressed gratitude and optimism about the partnership’s potential impacts: “With Norway’s backing, these projects are poised to transform our agricultural landscape dramatically. This is about more than just increasing food production; it’s about transforming agriculture into a sustainable economic growth engine for our nation.” He proudly noted Tanzania’s achieving 128% food self-sufficiency in the fiscal year 2023-2024 but acknowledged the need for ongoing efforts to solidify these gains and expand their scope.

Comments from Norwegian and Tanzanian Leaders

H.E. Tone Tinnes, Norwegian Ambassador to Tanzania, shared her enthusiasm for the joint initiative, stating, “Norway is committed to supporting sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both the environment and the economic well-being of farmers. This partnership will help unlock the potential of Tanzanian agriculture to create jobs and improve livelihoods significantly.”

Geoffrey Kirenga, CEO of SAGCOT, also commented on the strategic importance of the initiatives, outlining a bold vision for increasing agricultural productivity through sustainable practices. “Our transformation into AGCOT involves not just the adoption of proven strategies but also significant collaboration across the government and private sectors to foster a sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector,” he said.

Sustainable Development and Economic Growth

The AGCOT initiative is expected to drive significant economic benefits by improving agricultural productivity and sustainability through climate-smart practices such as efficient water use, soil health management, and adopting sustainable technologies. This holistic approach aims to achieve food security and position Tanzania as a key agricultural hub in Africa.

Dr. Juma Makaranga from ATO emphasized the transformative potential of the Agricultural Master Plan 2050, which includes 15 flagship projects focusing on 20 priority commodities. “By removing regulatory barriers and encouraging private sector investment, these initiatives will enhance Tanzania’s agricultural sector’s resilience and sustainability,” he explained.

Moreover, the expanded SAGCOT model through AGCOT is designed to incorporate lessons learned from the initial corridors and apply them more broadly, ensuring that agricultural development is inclusive and environmentally responsible. The plan includes developing detailed investment strategies for the newly targeted corridors, emphasizing inclusive growth and protection of social and environmental values.

A Commitment to Shared Goals

The partnerships and financial commitments made on February 4, 2025, represent a significant advancement in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, promising to catalyze change and foster sustainable growth through increased collaboration, investment, and innovation. As both nations reaffirm their commitment to the goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, this collaboration stands as a testament to the power of international partnerships in driving substantial improvements in global agricultural practices.