Tanzania drafts a five-year plan to develop properties held by its diplomatic missions abroad

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation has prepared a five-year plan to develop government-owned properties, including buildings and plots of land held by Tanzania’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The plan covers the 2025/2026 to 2029/2030 financial years and seeks to maximise the strategic use of the properties while reducing government expenditure on renting offices and residences for ambassadors and diplomatic staff.

Presenting an implementation report to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security (NUU) at Parliament in Dodoma, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr Jumanne Maghembe, said the government, through its diplomatic missions, owns 110 buildings and 13 plots of land abroad.

Dr Maghembe said implementation of the plan would be carried out in phases using government budget allocations as well as alternative financing sources, including partnerships with financial institutions such as pension funds and banks.

He said the plan is intended to reduce the government’s rental costs for diplomatic offices and residences while increasing the value of government assets and strengthening Tanzania’s image internationally.

ALSO READ: Organisation conducts study to reduce stunting, poor height development

For the 2026/2027 financial year, the Deputy Minister said government-funded projects include the renovation of buildings housing Tanzania’s diplomatic missions in Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, Nigeria and Ethiopia.

He added that the government has also begun implementing investment-oriented projects *through alternative sources of financing. These include the construction of twin 22-storey buildings in Nairobi, Kenya, and a 25-storey building in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The projects are intended to increase the value of government-owned properties abroad and transform them into productive economic assets capable of generating long-term benefits for the country.

Members of the NUU Committee, chaired by Najma Murtaza Giga, commended the ministry for developing the plan and stressed the importance of ensuring effective oversight of its implementation to achieve the intended objectives.

The committee said effective implementation of the plan would enable the government to make better use of its overseas assets, reduce operational costs and improve the returns generated from its property investments.