Factors influencing eco-industrial development in Africa: A SWOT analysis of a Tanzanian industrial park

Abstract

Eco-industrial parks (EIPs) have been proposed as a transformative model for assisting developing countries in upgrading their industrial systems to meet higher global environmental standards while boosting economic competitiveness. However, for many industrial settings, the requisite contextual requirements have yet to be clarified. This paper aims to contribute to filling this gap. It examines the potential of transforming a case study Tanzanian industrial park, an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), into an EIP. The park was assessed against four criteria (roundput, locality, diversity and gradual change) using SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. The paper draws upon key informant interviews, document reviews and physical site inspection. Findings reveal several strong and weak points of the EPZ, painting a scenario of a zone that is not based on the cycling of resources, does not have a diverse cooperation network arranged locally, and does not rely on the flow of renewables. However, the presence of a park management team, existing synergies, planned synergies and overall national and global development priorities make the park potentially strong as a whole. Our findings underscore the need for deliberate policy interventions. They can be applied to comparable contexts to pinpoint critical areas when planning the interventions.

Keywords:

• eco-industrial park
• export processing zone
• SWOT analysis
• Tanzania

JEL Classification:

• O25
• Q56
• Q57

Acknowledgement

Financial support from the University of Dodoma is acknowledged. The authors would also like to thank the three reviewers and the AJSTID’s Editor-in-Chief for their constructive comments and insightful suggestions during the writing of this article. Special appreciation is extended to Mr Lamau Mpolo and Mr Amri Matole for their invaluable assistance. Finally, the opinions expressed herein are of the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the position of the EPZA. The authors are solely responsible for any errors that may surface.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The University of Dodoma (grant number MA/243/261/02/1) financed this study under the Junior Academic Staff (JAS) Research Grant Scheme.