Tanzania and Burundi to construct a joint nickel plant

KIGOMA, Tanzania

Tanzania and Burundi are in talks over the construction of a joint nickel processing plant, Tanzania's President John Magufuli said on Saturday.

Magufuli revealed the deal shortly after he had introduced visiting Burundi's President Evariste Ndayishimiye to a public rally at Lake Tanganyika stadium in Kigoma region.

"Today we will hold talks with the Burundian leader to see how we can speed up the construction of the joint nickel processing plant," Magufuli told the rally.

"Tanzania and Burundi are producers of nickel that is exported unprocessed," he said.

Magufuli said the one-day working visit by Ndayishimiye was aimed at strengthening investment and trade relations between the two east African countries.

Magufuli said the Tanzania Investment Center has registered Burundian investments worth about 29.42 million dollars with 544 employment opportunities, adding that more than 10 Tanzanian companies have invested in Burundi.

For his part, Burundi's President Ndayishimiye commended President Magufuli for transforming Tanzania within a short period of time, saying the transformation was a lesson to his country.

"My visit will help Burundi to learn Tanzania's experience towards the transformation process," said the Burundian leader.