Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to deepen economic cooperation, with trade, mining, transport, energy and infrastructure identified as key areas for stronger collaboration.
The agreement was reached yesterday, August 18, 2026, during talks between President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her DRC counterpart, Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, held at the State House in Zanzibar.
The discussions focused on expanding economic and social ties between the two countries while creating conditions that can support trade, investment, job creation and regional economic integration.
On trade and investment, President Samia said Tanzania would continue working with the DRC to improve the business environment, ease cross-border trade and promote the production of value-added goods.
The two countries also agreed to strengthen customs services and border infrastructure to facilitate the movement of goods and improve efficiency along key trade routes.
The move is particularly significant given the DRC's position as a major market in Central Africa and Tanzania's role as a gateway to the region through its ports and transport corridors.
In the mining sector, the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in geological research, mineral extraction, processing and value addition.
The partnership will also focus on skills development and technology, with the two sides seeking to ensure that more minerals are processed within Africa rather than exported in raw form.
Transport and energy also featured prominently in the talks, with the leaders agreeing to increase the use of ports and transport corridors to support trade between Tanzania, the DRC and other countries in the region.
They further agreed to accelerate the implementation of railway, road, port and energy projects aimed at improving regional connectivity and lowering the cost of moving goods.
President Samia and President Tshisekedi stressed that peace and security remain critical to sustaining economic development and attracting investment.
President Tshisekedi said his visit had provided a platform for strengthening relations between Tanzania and the DRC, while calling for greater efforts by African countries to add value to their natural resources within the continent.
He said increasing local processing would create more jobs and ensure Africa's natural wealth generates greater economic benefits for its people.
The latest commitments are expected to give fresh momentum to Tanzania-DRC economic relations, particularly in trade, mining and infrastructure, while strengthening Tanzania's role as a strategic gateway for the DRC's access to regional and international markets.
