$100-million roofing tile factory to be constructed in Tanzania

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa says a US$ 100m roofing tile factory in Tanzania is set to be constructed by Chinese investors.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Dr. Lu Youqing said that Goodwill Ceramic Limited will begin constructing the factory in December this year.

“With the investment from the Chinese, Goodwill Ceramic Limited will be able to produce 800,000 roofing tiles per day and this will extensively reduce the importation of such products,” Dr. Youqing said.

The factory, expected to be constructed at Mkiu village, Mkuranga District in the Coast region is expected to generate US$14m annually in various forms of taxes.

Goodwill Ceramic Limited CEO, Frank Yang explained that the roofing tiles will be distributed across the East African Community, enhancing the Tanzanian economy.

This initiative will move Tanzania towards being an industrialized country as outlined in their Development Vision 2025. Government believes creation of industries is the best way to lessen unemployment in Tanzania.

Goodwill Ceramic Limited also intends setting up seven factories in a number of other African countries.

Prime Minister Majaliwa said that the government will continue to give full support to the private sector and ensure that it has the necessary infrastructure to achieve the goal of turning Tanzania into a middle-income country by 2025.