Tanzania is seeking to expand its trade with Türkiye and attract more Turkish investment into local industries following talks between President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen economic cooperation, widen market access and address outstanding trade barriers during official discussions in Antalya on Thursday, with a focus on turning bilateral relations into tangible economic benefits.
The discussions identified agriculture, mining, manufacturing, education and vocational training as key areas for deeper cooperation.
In agriculture and mining, the two countries explored opportunities to expand markets for their products, a move that could create more opportunities for Tanzanian farmers, miners and businesses seeking access to international markets.
President Samia invited Turkish investors to explore opportunities in Tanzania's textile industry, food processing and the manufacturing of construction materials, highlighting the potential for investment to support industrialisation.
She also emphasised the importance of technology transfer, which could help local industries improve production capacity, develop technical skills and compete more effectively in regional and international markets.
The focus on manufacturing comes as Tanzania seeks to strengthen domestic production, add value to locally available raw materials and create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
The two presidents also discussed expanding access to education and vocational training for Tanzanian youth to equip them with practical skills needed in manufacturing and other productive sectors.
Beyond identifying investment opportunities, the talks addressed the institutional and tax arrangements needed to make cross-border business easier.
The leaders discussed implementation of a cooperation agreement between the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) and Türkiye's Investment Office, intended to strengthen collaboration in promoting and facilitating investment.
They also reviewed steps towards implementing a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, an arrangement expected to provide greater certainty for businesses operating across the two markets and reduce the risk of the same income being taxed in both countries.
Effective implementation of the agreements will be important in translating the commitments into actual investment projects, expanded trade and business opportunities.
For Tanzania, stronger economic ties with Türkiye offer an opportunity to attract capital, technology and industrial expertise while creating wider markets for locally produced goods.
However, the benefits will depend on how effectively the two governments implement the commitments, particularly in ensuring that investments generate local employment, support domestic industries and increase the value of Tanzania's exports.
The latest discussions underline the two countries' ambition to move beyond diplomatic relations towards a stronger economic partnership centred on trade, investment and industrial development.