Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with the People’s Republic of China in trade, investment, education, tourism and people-to-people relations, as the two countries continue to build on a longstanding partnership that has become one of the most enduring and strategic bilateral relationships between Africa and Asia.
The remarks were made today in Dar es Salaam by Tanzania’s Ambassador to China, Suleiman Haji Suleiman, during a media briefing where he outlined Tanzania’s policy direction and growing engagement with China across key sectors of national development.
Speaking extensively on the evolution of bilateral relations, Ambassador Suleiman noted that Tanzania and China have enjoyed close ties for more than six decades, dating back to the early years of Africa’s liberation movements and post-independence nation-building efforts.
Over the years, the partnership has evolved from diplomatic cooperation and infrastructure development into a comprehensive strategic relationship encompassing trade, investment, technology transfer, education, tourism and human capital development.
According to the Ambassador, the relationship has gained renewed momentum in recent years as both countries continue to expand economic cooperation and strengthen institutional and private sector partnerships.
“Tanzania and China share a historic friendship built on mutual respect, solidarity and a common commitment to development. Today, that relationship continues to generate tangible results in trade, investment, education and people-centered cooperation,” he said.
On trade, Ambassador Suleiman revealed that commercial exchanges between the two countries have recorded remarkable growth over the past five years, with bilateral trade reaching an estimated US$23.2 billion between 2021 and 2025.
He described the milestone as a reflection of growing economic integration and increasing demand for Tanzanian products in the Chinese market, alongside efforts by both governments to facilitate trade and improve the business environment.
Economic analysts view the figure as further evidence of China’s position as one of Tanzania’s most important economic partners.
With a population exceeding 1.4 billion people, China represents one of the world’s largest consumer markets and offers significant opportunities for Tanzanian exports, particularly agricultural commodities, fisheries products, minerals and value-added manufactured goods.
Despite the impressive growth, Ambassador Suleiman emphasized that vast opportunities remain untapped. He encouraged Tanzanian entrepreneurs, farmers and exporters to take advantage of growing demand for agricultural products in China and urged businesses to familiarize themselves with market requirements and quality standards in order to compete effectively.
“The opportunities are enormous. Our responsibility is to ensure that Tanzanians have access to accurate information about the Chinese market and are equipped to benefit from the opportunities available,” he said.
Turning to investment, the Ambassador highlighted ongoing efforts by the Embassy of Tanzania in Beijing to work closely with the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA) in attracting more high-quality investments into the country.
He disclosed that 863 Chinese-invested projects have already been registered in Tanzania, underscoring China’s role as one of the country’s leading sources of foreign direct investment.
The investments span multiple sectors, including manufacturing, infrastructure, construction, mining, energy and services, contributing to job creation, industrialization, technology transfer and economic transformation.
In preparation for the upcoming Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, commonly known as Sabasaba, Ambassador Suleiman announced that the Embassy will actively participate in the exhibition to provide information and awareness to Tanzanians on opportunities available in China.
He said the platform would enable the Embassy to engage directly with citizens, entrepreneurs, students and investors interested in exploring business, educational and professional opportunities in the world’s second-largest economy.
Education was another key area highlighted during the briefing. Ambassador Suleiman stated that the Embassy is working to increase access to scholarship opportunities for Tanzanian students wishing to pursue higher education in China.
He further revealed plans to strengthen institutional cooperation between universities and academic institutions in both countries through joint research programs, faculty exchanges, student mobility initiatives and innovation partnerships designed to support knowledge-driven development.
Beyond economic and educational cooperation, the Ambassador underscored the importance of people-to-people relations as a foundation for sustainable bilateral engagement.
He stressed that economic success and international cooperation must be accompanied by integrity, discipline and respect for the laws of host countries.
In that regard, Ambassador Suleiman condemned unlawful activities involving a small number of Tanzanian nationals abroad, including drug trafficking and other illicit businesses, warning that such practices damage the country’s reputation and undermine efforts to strengthen international partnerships.
He urged Tanzanians living, studying and conducting business in China to act as responsible ambassadors of their country by respecting local laws, regulations and cultural norms.
The Ambassador’s remarks come at a time when Tanzania is positioning itself as a regional hub for trade and investment in East Africa, while China continues to expand its engagement across the African continent.
With bilateral trade reaching record levels, investment flows increasing and educational cooperation gaining momentum, analysts believe the Tanzania-China partnership is entering a new phase focused not only on economic growth, but also on innovation, skills development and long-term sustainable development.
As both nations continue to strengthen their strategic partnership, the growing relationship is expected to unlock new opportunities for businesses, students and investors, while reinforcing Tanzania’s role as a key gateway for economic cooperation between China and Africa.
