The Tanzanian government is looking for investors to breathe new life into the Arusha-based tyre manufacturing plant to meet the needs of the local and regional markets. The aim is to produce one million motor vehicle tyres annually at the 55-year-old General Tyre East Africa (GTEA) plant.
Established in 1969, GTEA originally had a capacity to produce 320,000 tyres per year before halting operations in 2007 due to increased imports of cheaper tyres from countries like China. Now, the government is seeking new investors to lease the factory for 33 years and bring it back to life with modern machinery capable of producing high-quality tyres for cars, buses, and heavy-duty trucks.
By reviving the plant, Tanzania hopes to reduce its reliance on imported tyres that have proven to be of low quality and not suitable for the country’s demanding road conditions. With the right investment and technology, the future of tyre manufacturing in Tanzania looks promising.
Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Exaud Kigahe, has expressed the government’s commitment to finding a strategic investor who can help revive the Arusha plant and make it a successful venture once again.