DAR ES SALAAM
Tanzania and Norway have solidified their commitment to agricultural transformation by signing a transformative three-year funding agreement (2025–2027) between the Royal Norwegian Embassy and the SAGCOT Centre.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on 21 November 2024, Ambassador Tone Tinnes emphasized the importance of this enduring partnership, which builds on a 14-year history and aligns with Norway’s priorities in climate action, food security, and sustainable agriculture.
She linked the agreement to Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to Norway in February 2024, stating, “This partnership builds on the momentum of President Hassan’s visit and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen agricultural cooperation and the 60 years collaboration between our countries.”
Dr. Ally Laay, Chairperson of the SAGCOT Centre Board, echoed Ambassador Tinnes’ remarks, highlighting the agreement’s significance. “This partnership builds on the recent visit of Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to Norway and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between our countries,” said Dr. Laay. “The agreement represents another milestone in implementing that vision.”
Their statements highlighted how this agreement builds on high-level collaborations to drive Tanzania’s agricultural transformation. The funding will enable SAGCOT Centre Limited to enhance its core initiatives, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and economic growth within the agricultural sector.
A Transformational Journey: Ambassador Tinnes praised SAGCOT Centre’s achievements in moving from being one corridor-focused to being tasked with expanding sustainable agricultural practices to other corridors of Tanzania before 2030. She expressed confidence in SAGCOT Centre’s ability to adapt and lead, stating, “It’s a big task, but I’m proud to continue this journey with you and witness the incredible progress you’ve made.”
Reflecting on field visits to Iringa and Morogoro, Ambassador Tinnes underscored the tangible impacts of SAGCOT’s work. “Reading about achievements in reports is one thing, but seeing the real transformation in the field and meeting the farmers and communities it impacts is entirely different,” she remarked.
Scaling Best Practices Across Africa: The Ambassador acknowledged SAGCOT’s growing regional role and highlighted its potential to share successful practices across Africa. She noted that SAGCOT initiative’s focus on increasing productivity, value addition, and strengthening value chains aligns perfectly with Norway’s agriculture and food strategy.
“By focusing on value creation and building strong value chains, SAGCOT Corridor is not only contributing to Tanzania’s development but also serving as a model for agricultural transformation across the continent,” she said.
Synergy in Partnerships: Ambassador Tinnes applauded SAGCOT’s collaboration with other Norwegian partners, such as Trade Mark Africa, emphasizing the importance of synergy in amplifying impact. “This is exactly what we want to see—our partners working together, building on each other’s strengths, and delivering even greater results for Tanzania’s agricultural sector,” she added.
On his side, Dr. Laay emphasized that the allocated funds would be used strategically in line with SAGCOT Centre’s 2025-2027 strategic plan to achieve measurable impact. Transformative Impact: He said the collaboration between SAGCOT and Norway has significantly transformed Tanzania’s agricultural landscape. Over 859,298 hectares are now under profitable production, benefiting nearly 900,000 farmers. Farm revenues have surged to an impressive USD 254 million. At the same time, investment facilitation has reached remarkable levels, with SAGCOT attracting USD 1.3 billion in private investments and USD 2.2 billion in public investments within the SAGCOT Corridor. The milestones reflect the success of SAGCOT’s innovative public-private partnership model, supported by Norway’s resources.
Championing Climate-Smart Agriculture: Dr Laay said Norway has played a key role in supporting SAGCOT’s efforts to promote climate-smart agricultural practices. Notable achievements include the development of the Inclusive Green Growth (IGG) tool, which is a collaboration with partners such as WWF and Care International. This tool has been instrumental in guiding stakeholders across the agriculture value chain toward sustainable practices.
Additionally, SAGCOT’s agroforestry initiatives in Morogoro, Tanga, and Zanzibar are helping farmers diversify their incomes by cultivating high-value tree spices like cloves and fruit crops such as avocados and apples. These initiatives also contribute to environmental conservation, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Expanding Reach and Impact: Dr Laay said, SAGCOT plans to scale its successful model beyond the SAGCOT Corridor to other regions across Tanzania. This expansion will employ the Commodity Compact Approach to identify high-potential agricultural clusters and priority crops. Collaborations with Trade Mark Africa (TMA) and the Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO) will be vital in assessing infrastructure needs and unlocking trade opportunities and identify clusters in these new corridors. To strengthen its impact further, SAGCOT Centre has partnered with REPOA to research the impact of its intervention. This collaboration aims to provide actionable insights into poverty reduction and inclusive growth, ensuring that SAGCOT’s programs address the real needs of farmers and SMEs.
Recognizing Norway’s Leadership: Dr Laay extended heartfelt gratitude to Ambassador Tone Tinnes and her team at the Royal Norwegian Embassy for their steadfast support.
“Ambassador Tinnes has prioritized SAGCOT activities since her arrival, witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of Norway’s support. Her advocacy among key stakeholders, from government leaders to research institutions like SUA, TARI, and REPOA, has been invaluable,” he said. This agreement marks a significant milestone in Tanzania’s agricultural development. By strengthening their collaboration, the Royal Norwegian Embassy and SAGCOT Centre have strengthened their shared vision for climate-smart agriculture, food security, and inclusive economic growth. It underscores Tanzania and Norway’s mutual commitment to driving sustainable development in the region.
Strengthening Partnerships: Norway and SAGCOT Sign Three-Year Grant Agreement in Photos
