Tanzania has described Israel as a strategic partner in key sectors such as agriculture,health, defence and security, as both countries move to deepen long-standing bilateral cooperation.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, made the remarks in Dar es Salaam while receiving copies of credentials from Israel’s ambassador-designate to Tanzania, Gideon Behar, who is based in Nairobi.
The meeting reflected continued diplomatic engagement between the two countries, with officials highlighting cooperation that has expanded beyond traditional diplomacy to include practical support in agriculture, healthcare and technology.
Mr Kombo said Israel has remained an important partner in Tanzania’s development agenda, particularly through knowledge-sharing initiatives that support skills development and service delivery.
Among the initiatives cited was the training programme run by MASHAV, which offers practical agricultural training to young Tanzanians on Israeli farms. The programme has enabled participants to gain hands-on experience in modern farming methods and agricultural technologies.
The minister suggested that the partnership could be expanded further if Israeli agricultural experts were to provide training directly in Tanzanian institutions, including Sokoine University of Agriculture, as part of efforts to strengthen local technical capacity in the sector.
Health cooperation has also emerged as a visible area of engagement between the two countries. According to the minister, Israeli-supported medical missions have contributed to life-saving cardiac treatment for Tanzanian patients, including children with heart complications.
Through the partnership, more than 2,440 patients have received treatment, among them 45 children who underwent heart surgery through specialised medical camps.
For his part, Mr Behar said Israel remained committed to expanding cooperation with Tanzania in areas of shared interest, including economic diplomacy, science and technology.
He noted that deeper collaboration in research and technological innovation could support the development of skilled professionals while creating new opportunities for both countries.
The diplomatic engagement comes at a time when Tanzania continues to strengthen international partnerships aimed at advancing economic growth, agricultural transformation and improved health services.
