Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic and trade cooperation, signing off on plans that could boost investment, trade, and tourism between the two nations.
The agreements were reached during bilateral talks on the sidelines of the World Government Summit 2026 in Dubai, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan met with UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Both leaders emphasized completing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT) to strengthen the business and investment climate.
They also discussed launching new air routes by Emirates Airlines, including a direct connection between Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, aimed at supporting tourism and regional trade.
Sheikh Mohammed pledged continued cooperation through development projects to benefit both countries’ economies, reinforcing long-standing commercial ties.
For Tanzania, the agreements align with a broader strategy to attract foreign investment and modernize infrastructure. In a panel discussion on “Government and the Future of Investment: An African Perspective,” President Samia highlighted Tanzania’s legal and regulatory reforms, designed to improve competitiveness and investor confidence.
She cited the country’s strategic investments in modern transport infrastructure, including the Standard Gauge Railway, regional road networks, Indian Ocean ports, and major lake ports, noting their role in facilitating the movement of goods, minerals, and energy across East and Central Africa.
“Tanzania is positioning itself as a hub for trade and logistics in the region, connecting its network to neighboring countries through ports, railways, and roads,” President Samia said.
She also highlighted tourism as a leading foreign exchange earner, alongside mining, energy, and agriculture, while underscoring the importance of public-private partnerships to accelerate development projects.
The bilateral engagement reflects a growing commercial relationship: trade between Tanzania and Dubai rose from $985.31 million in 2018 to $2.1 billion in 2024, making Tanzania the UAE’s fourth-largest African trade partner.
The partnership has strengthened Tanzanian markets, boosted industrial production, expanded logistics and aviation services, and supported overall economic growth.
Analysts say the agreements could further cement Tanzania’s role as a regional trade and investment hub, while facilitating greater access for Tanzanian businesses to global markets.
As global investment competitions intensify, Tanzania’s active engagement with strategic partners like the UAE illustrates its ambition to combine infrastructure modernization, regulatory reforms, and targeted international partnerships to drive sustainable economic growth.