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Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, on May 26, 2026 presented the ministry’s budget estimates for the 2026/2027 financial year before Parliament in Dodoma, with the government placing strong emphasis on economic diplomacy, regional cooperation and the protection of Tanzania’s interests on the international stage.
Presenting the budget, Minister Kombo said the government will continue using diplomacy as a strategic tool to open up opportunities in investment, trade, tourism and development cooperation between Tanzania and countries across the world.
In his address, the minister requested Parliament to approve approximately TZS 359.3 billion for the implementation of the ministry’s activities and institutions during the upcoming fiscal year, noting that the funds will be directed toward strengthening Tanzania’s diplomatic representation abroad, enhancing international relations and advancing the country’s economic diplomacy agenda.
Kombo said Tanzania continued to benefit from international cooperation over the past year through increased investment inflows, concessional financing, development assistance and strategic projects in sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, trade and energy.
He further noted that the government will continue strengthening Tanzania’s participation in regional and international organizations in order to safeguard national interests, expand the country’s global influence and reinforce diplomatic cooperation within East Africa and across the African continent.
On East African regional integration, the minister stated that Tanzania will remain actively engaged in strengthening the East African Community (EAC), with particular focus on regional trade, investment, infrastructure development and the free movement of people and economic activities within the bloc.
Kombo also emphasized that the ministry will continue improving working environments in Tanzanian embassies abroad while investing in government-owned properties overseas, a move aimed at increasing operational efficiency and reducing long-term administrative costs.
The minister reaffirmed that the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan will continue prioritizing diplomacy that delivers tangible economic outcomes for citizens, while promoting peace, security and constructive international relations.
The presentation comes at a time when Tanzania is expanding its presence in regional and global platforms, with the government signaling its intention to use diplomacy as a catalyst for national development, international influence and economic prosperity.
