Tanzania will receive a total of TZS 185 billion (CNY 500 million) in grants from China for the expansion of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute and to support economic and technical cooperation.
The grants were formalized through the signing of two agreements on 21 May 2025 at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Dodoma.
The agreements were signed by Tanzania’s Minister for Finance, Dr. Mwigulu Nchemba, and China’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian.
The first agreement, valued at CNY 200 million (TZS 74.2 billion), is designated for general economic and technical cooperation.
The second agreement, worth CNY 300 million (TZS 111.2 billion), will finance the expansion of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute to establish a regional Centre of Excellence for pediatric cardiac care and surgery, targeting children from Tanzania and across East and Central Africa.
According to Dr. Nchemba, “The objective of these grants is to support projects mutually selected and agreed upon by the governments of Tanzania and China. The second agreement aims to build a pediatric cardiac Centre of Excellence that will provide specialized care for children in the region.”
He noted that the economic and technical cooperation grants stems from a commitment made by President Xi Jinping of China during his meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit held in 2024 in Beijing.
Dr. Nchemba added that the planned pediatric heart hospital at Mloganzila is expected to improve access to quality healthcare, stimulate the economy through job creation, and enhance medical research and infrastructure development.
He emphasized that the grants affirm China’s continued commitment as a reliable development partner to Tanzania.
For her part, Ambassador Chen Mingjian said that China will continue its cooperation with Tanzania based on long-standing historical ties and mutual trust.
She highlighted that Tanzania remains a leading partner in economic and social collaboration, citing the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA) as a key example of the enduring partnership.
She added that the new pediatric cardiac facility will not only save lives but also contribute to job creation and the development of medical tourism.
Dr. Peter Kisenge, Executive Director of the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, expressed gratitude for the Chinese support, noting that the specialized centre at Mloganzila will be a major step in addressing pediatric heart diseases.
He stated that health data shows that 1 in every 100 children born in Tanzania suffers from congenital heart defects, and the new facility will help reduce the treatment gap.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance Elijah Mwandumbya and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Ismail Rumatila, who pledged the government’s commitment to ensuring effective implementation of the project.
