China has reiterated its commitment to deepen cooperation with Tanzania in advancing industrial development, underscoring the growing partnership between the two countries in manufacturing, technology transfer and skills development.
Speaking during a visit to Saturn Corporation Limited’s HOWO truck assembly plant in Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, China’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Her Excellency Chen Mingjian, said China will continue engaging with Tanzania on key areas of cooperation aimed at supporting the country’s industrialisation agenda.
The ambassador toured the facility at the invitation of Saturn Corporation management, whose plant hosts the largest Sinotruk assembly facility in Tanzania and is among the leading promoters of China’s HOWO brand of heavy-duty vehicles, including tippers, tractor trucks and genuine spare parts.
The visit reflected the strengthening relationship between Saturn Corporation and Sinotruk International, China’s globally respected state-owned truck manufacturer, as well as the broader economic ties between China and Tanzania.
the visit to the Saturn Corporation HOWO assembling plant in Kigamboni Dar es Salaam. Looking on are other directors that
include Kalpesh Mehta, Rehmatulla Habib and the Chief Operations Officer Mr. Mehul Sachdev.
During the tour, Ambassador Chen expressed satisfaction with the progress the company has made since its establishment.
“I have witnessed for myself how Saturn Corporation is striving to elevate and enhance the relationship between China and Tanzania through this plant. I am happy that Saturn has demonstrated a comprehensive and strategic partnership with Sinotruk,” she said.
Saturn Corporation was launched in 2021 with the vision of supporting Tanzania’s rapidly expanding transport and logistics sector through the provision of reliable heavy-duty vehicles and professional after-sales services. The company’s assembly plant in Kigamboni was officially inaugurated in May 2024 by President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, marking an important milestone in Tanzania’s journey toward industrialisation.
Since its inauguration, the facility has grown into one of the most advanced truck assembly plants in East and Central Africa, helping reduce reliance on imported vehicles while strengthening local manufacturing capacity.
Saturn’s Chief Operations Officer Mr. Mehul Sachdev said the Kigamboni facility has quickly developed into a key production hub supporting Tanzania’s transport and logistics sector.
“Today, this plant has the capacity to assemble and customise heavy-duty trucks that support key sectors of the economy including construction, mining, logistics, agriculture and infrastructure development. To be specific, we currently have a daily output of up to 22 tractor trucks per day, translating to about 536 units every month, making this facility one of the most active truck assembly plants in the region”.
Mehul noted that the progress was a reflection of the strong partnership that the company enjoy with Sinotruk International, whose world-class engineering and manufacturing expertise he added had enabled the company bring global standards of truck assembly to Tanzania while adapting solutions that meet the needs of the local market.
Ambassador Chen noted that the two countries have already entered into strong commitments aimed at supporting Africa’s industrial transformation, with Tanzania emerging as an important partner in that journey.
“We have a lot to do together between China and Tanzania,” she said, pointing to growing opportunities in manufacturing, industrial investment and technology cooperation.
The ambassador also commended Saturn Corporation’s plans to collaborate with the Government of Tanzania to support skills development among young people through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, noting that China remains committed to supporting initiatives that equip Tanzanians with technical and engineering skills required in modern industries.
Through its operations, Saturn Corporation has already created employment opportunities for more than 330 Tanzanians, including skilled and semi-skilled technicians, engineers and support staff. Many more benefit indirectly through supply chains, transport services and spare parts distribution networks across the country.
The company is also undertaking internationally recognised certifications including ISO 9001 for Quality Management Systems, ISO 14001 for Environmental Management Systems and ISO 45001 for Occupational Health and Safety, aimed at strengthening operational standards and aligning the plant with global manufacturing best practices.
The Saturn management also confirmed that the company was in advanced discussions with Sinotruk International to expand assembly operations to include pick-up trucks as well as light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, enabling the facility to assemble a full range of vehicles from one tonne to 50 tonnes.
The company also anticipates reaching a cumulative production of 10,000 heavy-duty vehicles by 2027, further strengthening Tanzania’s transport and logistics sector while supporting the country’s industrial growth.
Accompanying the ambassador during the visit were Saturn Corporation directors Chirag Tania and Rehamtullah Habib, Chief Operations Officer Mehul Sachdev, Director, Kalpesh Mehta, General Manager Upendra Chandraker and officials from Sinotruk International.
