DAR ES SALAAM: TRADE between Tanzania and India has surged to 8.6 billion US dollars, (equivalent to 21.5tri/-), up from 2.3 billion US dollars (about 5.75tri/-) in 2020/2021, marking one of the most significant expansions in Tanzania’s bilateral trade relations in recent years.
The figures were highlighted during the separate high-level engagements in Dar es Salaam involving Minister for Finance, Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, Vice-President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi and India’s High Commissioner to Tanzania, Mr Bishwadip Dey.
During talks at the Ministry of Finance’s sub-office in Dar es Salaam, Ambassador Omar described the expanding economic partnership as central to Tanzania’s long-term development ambitions under the National Development Vision 2050.
“Our relationship dates back even before formal diplomatic ties, when traders from both sides engaged across the Indian Ocean. Today, that cooperation spans diplomatic, economic and social spheres,” he said.
India currently ranks among Tanzania’s leading global trading partners. Tanzania exports agricultural and natural resource products including cashew nuts, pulses, cotton, cloves, tea, leather and timber, while India supplies machinery, chemicals/ medicines and industrial goods.
Mr Dey said that the next phase of cooperation will move beyond trade volumes to increased direct investment in manufacturing. Priority areas include medical equipment production, transport equipment manufacturing and expansion of agro-processing industries.
He added that Indian investors have already established ventures in agriculture, steel manufacturing and other productive sectors, contributing to job creation and industrial development.
Beyond trade, India has supported Tanzania’s development efforts in water and health infrastructure through equipment supply, technical training and healthcare services. In education, an institute established in Zanzibar provides training in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, alongside short- and long-term professional programmes benefiting Tanzanian and regional students.
Separately, Vice-President Dr Nchimbi received the Indian High Commissioner at State House in Dar es Salaam, where discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in health, water, education, trade, investment, defence and security.
Tanzania and India maintain diplomatic relations dating back to the early post-independence era, with India opening its embassy in Dar es Salaam in 1961 and Tanzania establishing its mission in India in 1962. Relations gained renewed momentum following President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s official visit to India in 2023.
In parallel diplomatic engagements, Ambassador Omar met with the United Kingdom’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Marianne Young and Sweden’s Ambassador, Charlotta Ozaki Macias, to review ongoing cooperation and development partnerships.
The finance minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working closely with development partners in sectors that directly impact citizens’ livelihoods, emphasising that international cooperation remains a catalyst for accelerating development projects and improving socio-economic welfare.
He assured development partners that Tanzania will continue to uphold transparency and accountability in implementing projects, while remaining open to mutually beneficial collaboration.
The British and Swedish envoys expressed appreciation for their countries’ longstanding partnerships with Tanzania and pledged continued cooperation across priority development areas.
Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, held talks with South Korea’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Eunje Ahn, where he conveyed the Government’s appreciation for South Korea’s support as a development partner.
Dr Mwamba thanked the South Korean Government for financial assistance through concessional loans and grants, which he said have facilitated implementation of infrastructure and national development projects.
She conveyed greetings from President Samia Suluhu Hassan and reiterated Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation for the benefit of citizens of both countries.
Ambassador Ahn assured that South Korea would continue collaborating with Tanzania on strategic projects aimed at advancing social and economic development.