Tanzania’s Foreign Minister begins his visit to the United Kingdom on the 8th September. The aim is to deepen trade and diplomatic ties as the East African nation embarks on its goal of achieving a $20 trillion economy by 2050.
The scale of this ambition is clear. But so too is our strategy: economic diplomacy. Tanzania’s foreign policy is now firmly focused on mobilising investment, expanding trade, adopting technology, and creating jobs. In this journey, the United Kingdom remains one of our closest partners.
Our relationship with the UK spans more than 60 years since independence. It is a bond anchored in Commonwealth membership, but re-energised in recent years through agreements such as the Mutual Prosperity Partnership, which emphasises trade, investment, climate action, education, and good governance.
This partnership – designed to unlock £1bn of UK government-backed investment in Tanzania by 2030, alongside £300m in UK private sector foreign direct investment – is already delivering results. Trade and investment between our countries are rising, with horticultural exports in particular gaining new access to UK markets.
Critical minerals cooperation is also underway. As supply chains for strategic minerals face greater scrutiny, British International Investment and other partners are exploring processing opportunities for Tanzanian rare earths, essential to manufacturing electric vehicles and wind turbines.
The UK has also helped deliver a major programme of infrastructure investment across Tanzania. UK Export Finance is financing roads in Zanzibar and other transport projects that are opening up new trade routes to landlocked neighbours.
As home to some of the world’s most important biodiversity, Tanzania welcomes substantial numbers of British tourists, academics, scientists, and conservationists each year to the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro and the Ngorongoro Crater. The educational links this creates are now being fostered in both directions, with Tanzanians benefiting from Chevening (The Chevening Scholarship is an international scholarship, funded by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and partner organizations, that enables foreign students to study at universities in the UK) and Commonwealth scholarships to UK universities.
As we build climate resilience and transition to clean energy solutions, joint research partnerships – in areas such as clean cooking technologies – are already making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
Meanwhile, as instability has risen in countries such as Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, security cooperation with the UK has strengthened our capacity to counter terrorism, disrupt organised crime, and enhance maritime safety.
These achievements show that the UK-Tanzania relationship is not just symbolic. It is delivering jobs, skills, resilience, and security on both sides.
Vision 2050
To deliver our Vision 2050 for a trillion-dollar economy, Tanzania has redefined the role of its foreign missions. No longer confined to ceremonial duties, embassies are now commercial and investment hubs. Diplomats are tasked with negotiating trade agreements, securing financing, attracting tourists, and even creating employment opportunities abroad for Tanzanians.
But Britain and Europe must recognise that the competition for economic partnership in Africa is intensifying. Asian and Middle Eastern economies such as China, India, the UAE and Qatar have played a central role in flagship projects transforming Tanzania’s competitiveness. The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, the Standard Gauge Railway and the Magufuli Bridge are all examples of strategic partnerships that will shape Tanzania’s economic future well into the 21st century.
With a median age of just 17, Tanzania has one of the youngest and fastest-growing populations in Africa. Education and skills development are critical to equipping this generation for the demands of an industrialised economy.
Central to this is the economic empowerment of women. Under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, our nation’s first female Head of State, women are rising to leadership in diplomacy, government, and business. Gender parity is not just an aspiration; it is a strategic advantage.
The early results are encouraging. Under President Samia’s leadership, exports have doubled in just four years, rising from $8bn to nearly $17bn. Tourism, once devastated by COVID-19, has made a strong recovery. Foreign investors, reassured by Tanzania’s stability and pragmatic reforms, are returning with confidence.
This new approach – already being called “Samia-nomics” – blends openness, partnership, and industrial ambition.
Sceptics may question whether a trillion-dollar economy is within reach. But with consistent growth, sound governance, and international partnerships, it is achievable. East Asia has shown the world what sustained ambition can deliver.
To our partners in the United Kingdom, my message is this: Tanzania is open, ready, and determined. Together we can expand bilateral trade and investment, deepen cooperation in education, innovation and research, and build on the longstanding cultural ties that connect our nations.
Tanzania is on track to become an economic giant in Africa. The UK has been a trusted partner in this journey. As we look toward 2050, we invite Britain – and the world – to join us in shaping a future of mutual prosperity.
