Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have pledged to accelerate joint infrastructure and economic projects as the two neighbours seek to deepen trade, investment and regional connectivity.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Friday, September 4, 2026, when Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo held a farewell meeting with outgoing DRC Ambassador to Tanzania Jean Pierre Massala.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ offices in Dar es Salaam, marked the end of Ambassador Massala’s diplomatic assignment in Tanzania.
Ambassador Kombo commended Mr Massala for his contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Tanzania and the DRC, particularly in development, trade and investment.
He said Tanzania was determined to further strengthen its strategic partnership with the DRC by expanding cooperation in transport, mining, oil and gas, defence and security, as well as telecommunications.
At the centre of the partnership are major infrastructure projects expected to improve movement of people, goods and services between the two countries.
Among them is the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project, which is expected to link Tanzania and the DRC through Burundi, potentially opening up new opportunities for regional trade and reducing the cost and time involved in transporting goods.
The two countries are also pursuing a fibre-optic telecommunications link connecting Kigoma in Tanzania with Kalemie in Tanganyika Province, DRC, across Lake Tanganyika.
The project is expected to strengthen digital connectivity and support communication and economic activity in communities along the corridor.
Tanzania and the DRC have further agreed to speed up the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission (JEC), a framework expected to improve coordination of bilateral economic projects and create new opportunities for businesses and investors.
The commission is also expected to provide a platform for addressing trade and investment challenges while identifying sectors where the two economies can work more closely.
For his part, Ambassador Massala thanked the Tanzanian government for the support and cooperation extended to him during his tenure.
He called for the two countries to maintain the momentum in their relations and continue strengthening strategic cooperation in sectors that contribute to economic growth and improved livelihoods.
The latest engagement underscores the growing importance of Tanzania-DRC relations, particularly as both countries seek to expand infrastructure links and unlock greater trade and investment opportunities across the region.