Tanzania and Oman are seeking to turn longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties into deeper economic cooperation, with investment in manufacturing, natural gas and mining emerging as key areas of focus.
The two countries held their first bilateral consultation meeting since signing a Political Consultations Agreement in 2009, signalling a renewed push to expand trade, investment and other economic links.
The meeting, held in Muscat on September 28, 2026, was led by Oman’s Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Khalifa Al-Harthy.
Tanzania’s Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade, Dennis Londo, said the talks were aimed at moving beyond diplomatic goodwill towards practical economic outcomes.
“This meeting is an important step towards turning our good intentions into tangible results,” Mr Londo said.
He called on the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) to explore opportunities in Tanzania, particularly in processing industries, natural gas and mining.
OIA has indicated interest in investing in Tanzania through commercial partnerships and public-private partnership (PPP) projects, according to the Tanzanian delegation.
The discussions come as Tanzania seeks to attract more investment into value addition and productive sectors, while strengthening its links with markets in the Gulf and beyond.
The two countries also identified agriculture, healthcare, education, the blue economy, tourism, heritage and formal employment as areas for expanded cooperation.
The discussions on labour and employment could open opportunities for Tanzanian workers, while cooperation in agriculture and the blue economy could support investment in production, processing and export-oriented businesses.
The two sides also agreed on the importance of increasing exchanges between government officials, experts and other stakeholders to share knowledge and experience and improve implementation of existing agreements.
The talks are expected to provide a framework for further negotiations on specific projects and partnerships.
Tanzania and Oman have longstanding historical and people-to-people ties, but the latest consultations place greater emphasis on using those relations to generate investment, trade and employment opportunities.
The cooperation is also being linked to Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 and Oman Vision 2040, which both seek to promote economic diversification, investment and sustainable development.
For Tanzania, the expanded engagement with Oman could help attract capital into strategic sectors and strengthen access to Gulf markets, while providing opportunities for local businesses to participate in new investment and supply chains.