The second edition of the Tanzania Impact Investment Forum (TIIF 2026) is expected to bring together more than 300 investors, entrepreneurs, development finance institutions and government representatives in Dar es Salaam, as Tanzania positions itself as a growing hub for impact investment in East Africa.
The forum, which will take place from 1 to 3 June at the Johari Rotana Hotel, is being hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Tanzania in partnership with a range of development and private sector actors including Enabel, Vodacom, KPMG, UK & IIT, STCC & AG Energies, FUNGUO & UNDP, D4T & UNCDF, and the EU & ANZA.
Speaking ahead of the event, Switzerland’s ambassador to Tanzania, Nicole Providoli, said the forum reflects the continued expansion of Tanzania’s impact investment ecosystem and the increasing importance of aligning private capital with sustainable development priorities.
Held under the theme “Unlocking Growth Capital: Investing in High-Impact SMEs and Transformational Projects”, TIIF 2026 seeks to strengthen links between investment-ready enterprises and sources of capital, while deepening dialogue on the role of impact investing in driving inclusive economic growth.
The three-day programme will feature two days of structured investment discussions followed by field visits to selected enterprises. Key thematic areas include financing high-impact SMEs, mobilising blended finance for large-scale transformational projects, advancing climate-smart growth, and strengthening digital market systems.
In partnership with Venture Capital for Africa (VC4A), 30 SMEs will undergo pre-forum investment readiness training, with 15 selected to pitch directly to investor panels. A post-forum deal room is expected to facilitate continued engagement between investors and businesses.
“The forum provides an important platform to deepen collaboration between investors, enterprises and ecosystem partners in support of inclusive economic growth,” Providoli said.
She noted that TIIF builds on the 2025 inaugural edition, which brought together 181 participants, including 61 investors, 25 of them international, and helped strengthen investor interest and collaboration across Tanzania’s emerging impact investment landscape.
Beyond the forum, Switzerland’s broader engagement includes programmes such as Innovation for Social Change (ISC), which supports initiatives like the Daraja Impact Fund and the Impact-Linked Finance for Climate Change facility, as well as the Ifakara Innovation Hub.
UK highlights jobs, climate finance and investment reforms
Meanwhile, the British High Commission in Tanzania has emphasised that TIIF 2026 comes at a critical moment for job creation and inclusive growth, particularly in a country with one of the youngest populations in the world, where the median age is estimated at around 18 years.
Speaking in the lead-up to the forum, British High Commissioner Marianne Young said investment must increasingly focus on job creation, climate resilience and long-term sustainable growth.
She noted that Tanzania’s development ambitions will require significantly higher levels of private sector participation, with estimates suggesting that up to 17% of financing under the government’s Vision 2060 will need to come from private capital.
However, she warned that structural challenges, including a shortage of long-term risk capital, continue to constrain investment at scale, with a financing gap estimated at between $30 billion and $40 billion through to 2030.
Despite these challenges, she said Tanzania’s macroeconomic outlook remains strong, supported by a relatively stable currency and a population of nearly 70 million, making it one of the region’s most attractive long-term investment destinations.
“The question is how we can better facilitate impact investment and inclusive growth,” she said, adding that the UK remains committed to supporting efforts to unlock private capital flows into Tanzania.
She highlighted the growth of British International Investment’s portfolio in the country, which has expanded significantly in recent years across sectors including energy, telecommunications and financial services.
At TIIF 2026, the UK is expected to launch the Invest for Impact Tanzania initiative, designed to connect high-potential Tanzanian businesses with investors through improved matchmaking, investment readiness support and ecosystem coordination.
The initiative will also seek to strengthen local advisory capacity, improve policy coordination and support the development of domestic investment institutions, including partnerships with regional venture capital and private equity associations.
“The UK’s approach is shifting from donor to investor, focusing on long-term partnerships and shared prosperity,” Young said.
She added that forums such as TIIF play a crucial role in building trust between investors, businesses and governments, ultimately helping to convert dialogue into deals, and deals into jobs and development outcomes.
