The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Daniel Francisco Chapo, have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by deepening economic cooperation particularly in trade and investment through the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission (JEC).
The commission will serve as a platform to address shared economic challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.
This milestone was reached during official talks held today at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
The two Heads of State further agreed to continue improving the business and investment climate between their countries, including the facilitation of Simplified Trade Regimes (STRs) to enable small and medium-sized enterprises to engage in cross-border trade with ease.
Acknowledging the central role agriculture plays in both economies, the leaders committed to intensifying collaboration in this sector.
Their focus includes the exchange of knowledge and joint research especially on the cashew nut value chain to benefit from global market prices and explore the formation of a cashew-producing countries’ alliance. The goal is to promote local processing and boost value-added exports.
In the energy sector, President Dr. Samia and President Chapo pledged to build on Mozambique’s strides in gas development and to explore joint initiatives in the blue economy.
These include fisheries, marine tourism, mineral resources, and maritime transport, with particular emphasis on knowledge sharing in deep-sea fishing.
Security and defense cooperation were also discussed, with both leaders agreeing to strengthen joint efforts in combating transnational crime, including activities affecting border regions.
President Dr. Samia took the opportunity to commend President Chapo for his leadership in promoting national unity and restoring peace and stability in Mozambique during his short tenure in office.
Following their bilateral discussions, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of several key agreements.
These include accords to establish One Stop Border Posts (OSBP) at the Mtambaswala (Tanzania) and Negomano (Mozambique) borders to ease trade and movement, and agreements on the exchange of prisoners.
Additionally, four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, covering cooperation in the education sector, cultural exchange, drug control, and collaboration between Mozambique National Radio and Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC).
In a media briefing, President Chapo emphasized the urgency of enhancing economic and trade ties through improved transport and infrastructure.
He underscored the need to continue with the construction of roads linking the two countries and to revisit existing Air Transport Cooperation Agreements to allow national airlines to expand services to major cities. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime transport to further integrate the economies.
President Chapo stressed the value of enhancing good neighborliness through regular cross-border engagements between communities in Tanzania’s Ruvuma and Mtwara regions and Mozambique’s Nyasa and Cabo Delgado provinces.
On another note, Mozambique officially announced its withdrawal as a partner in the Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations (CFR) after establishing its own diplomatic training institution.
However, both countries expressed their intention to continue exchanging knowledge and experiences through their respective colleges.
President Dr. Samia graciously accepted President Chapo’s invitation to attend the 50th Anniversary celebrations of Mozambique’s Independence, to be held on June 25, 2025.
President Chapo is scheduled to conclude his official visit tomorrow and will be formally bid farewell by President Dr. Samia at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
