Tanzania reaps $2.8 billion per year from relations with US

The good, bad side of Beijing's billions in Tanzania

When the World Bank and the International Monetary dilly-dallied upon being approached to finance the $1.3 billion Mtwara-Dar es Salaam 524km gas pipeline, which Tanzania dearly needed to boost electricity production and end the country's non-ending power shortage, China came calling with a juicy and tempting offer- and government quickly took it up.

China's investment in Tanzania surges

China's total direct investment in Tanzania soared from $700 million in 2011 to $2.1 billion last year, turning the world's second biggest economy into the biggest foreign investor in the east African country, it has emerged.