The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, on Wednesday met with ambassadors and heads of international organizations at a special New Year diplomatic reception, widely known as the Diplomatic Sherry Party, held at Ikulu Chamwino in Dodoma.
The annual diplomatic tradition, which brings together Tanzania’s leadership and the international diplomatic community, provided a strategic platform for President Samia to reaffirm the country’s commitment to peace, democratic stability, and economic diplomacy, while outlining Tanzania’s priorities for the year ahead.
Peace, Security and Democratic Resilience.
Addressing the gathering, President Samia emphasized that Tanzania has successfully preserved peace and national security despite isolated incidents experienced during the recent General Election period.
She noted that the country emerged safely from what she described as a critical democratic phase, underscoring the strength of national institutions and the resilience of Tanzania’s democratic framework.
“Tanzania has passed through an important electoral period safely. This demonstrates the resilience of our institutions and the commitment of Tanzanians to safeguarding peace,” President Samia stated.
From a diplomatic perspective, the remarks were widely interpreted as a direct reassurance to the international community, particularly development partners and investors, following heightened global attention during the election period.
Credit Ratings and Global Market Confidence.
President Samia also expressed satisfaction with the continued positive credit ratings awarded to Tanzania by leading international rating agencies Moody’s and Fitch, which have maintained the country’s sovereign credit ratings at B1 and B+ respectively.
She said the favorable ratings have played a crucial role in strengthening investor confidence and reducing the cost of borrowing for the country.
“We continue to enjoy strong credit ratings of B1 from Moody’s and B+ from Fitch. This stable outlook reflects investor confidence, lower borrowing costs, and economic resilience, which are essential in strengthening global trust and attracting more foreign direct investment,” President Samia said.
She added that the government remains committed to ongoing governance reforms, addressing foreign exchange shortages, and improving the tax-to-GDP ratio, all of which are considered vital pillars for sustained economic growth.
Record Breaking Investment Performance.
Translating the positive credit outlook into tangible outcomes, President Samia revealed that by December 2025, Tanzania had registered a historic 927 new investment projects valued at more than USD 11.09 billion, representing a 19.03 percent increase compared to the previous year.
“These projects are expected to generate more than 162,000 jobs for Tanzanians,” she noted.
Diplomatic and economic analysts view these figures as a clear signal that Tanzania’s economic diplomacy strategy is gaining traction, positioning the country as an increasingly attractive investment destination in the region.
Foreign Affairs Ministry Reassures on Security.
Speaking at the same event, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, assured the diplomatic community that the overall security situation in Tanzania remains calm and stable.
He acknowledged that the election period had generated concerns among some international partners, but stressed that proactive diplomatic engagement by the ministry helped restore confidence and clarity.
“Such incidents are extremely rare in Tanzania’s post-independence history. Through sustained diplomatic dialogue, we have been able to return the country to its traditional state of peace and stability,” Ambassador Kombo said.
From the Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo’s remarks complemented the President’s message by addressing international reactions during the election period.
His acknowledgment of diplomatic concerns, coupled with reassurance that Tanzania remains peaceful, reflected a mature diplomatic posture: one that does not deny challenges, but contextualizes them.
This approach signals a shift from defensive diplomacy to confidence based engagement, where Tanzania actively shapes its narrative rather than reacting to external pressure and managing external perceptions.
Diplomatic Corps Commends Cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Tanzania, who is also the Ambassador of the Union of Comoros, Ahmada El Badaoui, expressed appreciation to President Samia for her continued cooperation and openness toward the diplomatic community through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He noted that Tanzania continues to offer a conducive and respectful working environment for diplomats, consistent with international diplomatic norms.
What Lies Ahead.
The 2026 Diplomatic Sherry Party marked the beginning of a year in which Tanzania appears poised to deepen its engagement with global markets, regional blocs and multilateral institutions.
The signals sent from Dodoma suggest a continued focus on stability, reform and economic integration.
For Tanzania, the challenge ahead will be sustaining this momentum, ensuring that political calm, fiscal discipline and governance reforms remain aligned. For its partners, the message is equally clear that Tanzania is open, stable and ready to engage on equal footing in a complex global order.
Observers expect 2026 to be a year of expanded foreign direct investment, deeper regional and international partnerships, and strengthened economic diplomacy, as Tanzania consolidates its position within the global diplomatic and economic arena.
In diplomatic terms, the event was not just a reception. It was a statement of intent and signaling Tanzania’s determination to anchor its future on political stability, disciplined economic governance, and constructive engagement with the international community, while positioning itself as a reliable partner in an increasingly cautious and competitive global order.