Dar es Salaam — China has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Tanzania in industrial development, highlighting growing collaboration in manufacturing, technology transfer, and skills development. China’s ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, made the remarks during a visit to Saturn Corporation Limited’s HOWO truck assembly plant in Kigamboni.
The facility, which the company describes as the largest Sinotruk assembly plant in Tanzania, assembles heavy-duty vehicles, including tippers and tractor trucks, while supplying genuine spare parts. The visit underscored expanding cooperation between Saturn Corporation and Sinotruk International, China’s state-owned truck manufacturer.
Ambassador Chen said the company’s progress reflects the deepening partnership between the two countries and noted that Tanzania is becoming an important partner in China’s efforts to support Africa’s industrial transformation. She also highlighted opportunities for further cooperation in manufacturing, investment, and technology transfer.
She commended the company’s plan to collaborate with the government to support youth skills development through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, saying China remains committed to initiatives that equip Tanzanians with modern technical and engineering skills.
Saturn Corporation, established in 2021, aims to support Tanzania’s transport and logistics sector through heavy-duty vehicles and after-sales services. Its Kigamboni assembly plant was inaugurated in May 2024 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan and has since grown into one of the most advanced truck assembly facilities in East and Central Africa.
According to the company’s Chief Operations Officer, Mehul Sachdev, the plant can assemble up to 22 tractor trucks per day—about 536 units per month—and currently employs more than 330 Tanzanians. The company plans to expand production to include pick-up trucks and other commercial vehicles and expects cumulative output to reach 10,000 heavy-duty vehicles by 2027.