Tanzania’s Moment: Reflections from Tanzania’s National Day Business Luncheon in Washington, D.C.
By Alicia Kay Lewis
I was honored to attend the Business Luncheon in Commemoration of Tanzania’s National Day at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., hosted by the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The event brought together diplomats, U.S. government representatives, international institutions, investors, exporters, conservation leaders, entrepreneurs, and private-sector companies focused on Tanzania’s future growth and its expanding relationship with the United States.
The central theme throughout the luncheon was clear:
Tanzania is making real progress.
U.S.–Tanzania relations date back to the early 1960s and have evolved significantly over the decades from development-focused engagement to growing trade and investment cooperation. That transition was reflected throughout the entire event — from discussions on tourism and conservation to agriculture, infrastructure, financial sector modernization, exports, and private-sector investment.
Embassy Leadership & Diplomacy Through Action
One of the strongest impressions from the luncheon was the leadership of H.E. Dr. Elsie S. Kanza, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United States and Mexico.
I have met many ambassadors over the years, but Ambassador Kanza is truly among the most articulate, brilliant, hardworking, and effective diplomats I have encountered. She is not simply representing Tanzania ceremonially — she is actively building bridges between governments, investors, institutions, businesses, and communities.
Her stewardship and leadership were visible throughout the entire luncheon.
She understands something many leaders overlook: diplomacy today is no longer only government-to-government. It is also business-to-business, city-to-city, investor-to-community, and people-to-people.
She is a woman I deeply look up to.
Another strong voice during the luncheon was Ambassador Eric Kneedler, Acting Director of the Office of East African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, who spoke honestly about both the opportunities and the challenges investors continue to evaluate in Tanzania — particularly around taxation, regulation, and administrative systems.
That honesty mattered.
Strong partnerships require more than optimism. They require consistency, modernization, reform, and investor confidence. His remarks reflected the reality that confidence is built over time through collaboration and trust.
The event also included remarks from Kimberly A. Bassett, Secretary of the District of Columbia, and a prerecorded message from Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, reinforcing the growing importance of city-to-city and people-to-people relationships between Tanzania and the United States.
IMF & IFC: Confidence in Tanzania’s Direction
Adriano Ubisse, Executive Director of the IMF Africa Group 1 Constituency, highlighted Tanzania’s reform progress, resilience, tax performance, and long-term planning connected to Vision 2050.
Key takeaways from his remarks included:
-
Tanzania has made meaningful reforms that are strengthening investor confidence.
-
Improvements in governance and tax performance are helping improve economic credibility.
-
Vision 2050 is helping establish a clearer long-term development framework.
-
Sustainable growth ultimately depends on private-sector participation and investment.
His comments reinforced that Tanzania is not only talking about reform — it is actively implementing changes that support long-term economic growth.
IFC Representative — Financial Sector Strengthening & Investment
A representative speaking on behalf of IFC reinforced many of the same themes and discussed Tanzania’s progress in:
-
Strengthening financial institutions
-
Improving government-private sector collaboration
-
Reducing administrative burdens
-
Creating more opportunities for SMEs
-
Supporting sustainable and environmentally responsible investment
One of the most important points raised was the scale of IFC’s engagement in Tanzania.
IFC has supported dozens of projects across sectors including:
-
Infrastructure
-
Manufacturing
-
Agribusiness
-
Tourism
-
Financial services
-
Telecom
-
Energy
-
SME development
More than a billion dollars has been deployed into Tanzania over time, with significant acceleration occurring over the last five years as confidence in Tanzania’s direction has increased.
Another major theme from the IFC discussion was that investors increasingly want responsible growth — not simply economic expansion, but development tied to environmental stewardship, sustainability, and long-term institutional strengthening.
Adriano Ubisse — IMF Africa Group 1 Constituency
Private Sector Leaders: Why They Believe in Tanzania
Laird Doran — The Friedkin Group
Laird Doran, Senior Vice President of Public & Legal Affairs at The Friedkin Group, provided one of the clearest examples of long-term investor confidence in Tanzania.
After years of collaboration with the Government of Tanzania, The Friedkin Group now feels confident enough to make significantly larger long-term investments in the country.
Key points from his remarks included:
-
The company has made a nine-figure investment over several years.
-
Their work spans hospitality, conservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and community development.
-
Their investments are tied to long-term stewardship, not short-term returns.
-
Responsible tourism and conservation can coexist with economic growth.
-
Serious investors are now having 10-year-plus planning conversations with Tanzanian officials.
He also spoke about the company’s work connected to conservation and hospitality initiatives tied to Auberge Resorts Collection, helping attract global tourism while protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
One of the strongest messages from his remarks was this:
These investments would not have happened without Tanzania becoming more collaborative and investment-friendly over time.
And yes — coming from Texas, there was even a lighthearted joke about size. But in many ways, it fit the discussion because the scale of stewardship, conservation responsibility, and long-term investment being discussed was enormous.
Zahira Fazal — GEMCO
Zahira Fazal, Corporate Secretary of Global Export Marketing Co. Ltd. (GEMCO), shared one of the most inspiring perspectives of the day.
Her family business spans:
-
Exports
-
Hospitality
-
Aquaculture
-
Seaweed farming
-
International trade connections across more than 75 countries
But what stood out most was the emphasis on stewardship and community impact.
Key themes from her remarks included:
-
Creating jobs locally
-
Supporting schools and communities
-
Women’s economic empowerment
-
Expanding exports tied to seaweed farming and aquaculture
-
Giving back locally while building globally connected businesses
Seaweed farming in Tanzania and Zanzibar has become one of the country’s most important blue economy sectors and supports thousands of livelihoods, particularly for women.
Their U.S.-based export arm has also received recognition from EXIM and Congress, including Exporter of the Year recognition.
Her message reflected something bigger than business success — it reflected responsibility, stewardship, and long-term community investment.
Petro Kostiv — Kostiv Tanzania Group
Petro Kostiv, Chief Executive Officer of Kostiv Tanzania Group, shared a compelling story about how climbing Mount Kilimanjaro inspired his long-term commitment to Tanzania.
That experience led him to remain involved in the country and begin investing long term.
His investments now include:
-
Tourism
-
Agriculture
-
Avocado farming
-
Cashew-related opportunities
His story captured something many investors feel after experiencing Tanzania firsthand:
The country is not only an investment destination — it is a place that creates a genuine personal connection.
Agriculture, Cotton, Coffee & Energy
The luncheon also highlighted the diversity of Tanzania’s opportunities.
I had the opportunity to meet:
-
Coffee farmers
-
Energy project developers
-
Agribusiness leaders
-
Food systems groups
-
Export-focused companies
-
Organizations supporting women-led seaweed initiatives
Eric B. Trachtenberg, Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, discussed Tanzania’s cotton sector and the opportunities tied to:
-
Textile development
-
Exports
-
Value-added production
-
Agricultural growth
The conversations reinforced that Tanzania’s opportunities extend well beyond tourism alone.
Conservation & Responsible Growth
Another important takeaway from the luncheon was how closely Tanzania’s growth strategy is tied to conservation and stewardship.
The conversations were not simply about attracting investment.
They were about attracting the right investment — investment that:
-
Protects communities
-
Preserves ecosystems
-
Supports wildlife conservation
-
Creates sustainable long-term economic opportunity
That balance between growth and stewardship appeared repeatedly throughout the luncheon and is increasingly becoming part of Tanzania’s investment identity.
“Asante Sana”
And on a personal note, I learned a new phrase during the event:
“Asante Sana.”
“Thank you very much.”
It may seem like a small moment, but it represented something larger.
International partnerships are not built only through contracts, financing structures, or policy frameworks. They are built through respect, relationships, learning, humility, and genuine human connection.
That spirit was felt throughout the entire luncheon.
Looking Ahead
By the end of the event, one thing became very clear:
Tanzania is increasingly positioning itself as one of Africa’s most important long-term economic and strategic partners.
The country still faces challenges, and serious investors acknowledge that openly. But what stood out was the consistency of the message from nearly everyone in the room — diplomats, investors, IMF, IFC, exporters, conservation groups, and private-sector leaders alike:
Tanzania is moving forward.
Not through slogans alone, but through reforms, partnerships, modernization, conservation stewardship, financial sector strengthening, private-sector engagement, and long-term investment thinking.
For me personally, this luncheon was not just informative — it marked the beginning of a deeper exploration into Tanzania and the opportunities emerging across the country.
As our firm continues expanding its work throughout Africa, Tanzania is now becoming a country we are paying much closer attention to.
We are still in the early stages of exploring where and how we may engage, invest, and build partnerships, but the momentum surrounding Tanzania was impossible to ignore.
I will continue sharing updates as we learn more, build relationships, and explore opportunities for long-term collaboration and investment.
Asante Sana, Tanzania.