Amb Matinyi meets nationals living in Sweden

DAR ES SALAAM: RECENTLY on May 29, 2025, Tanzanian Ambassador to Sweden, Mobhare Matinyi, convened with Tanzanians residing in Sweden at the embassy grounds in Stockholm.

Here, the purpose of the gathering was to foster familiarity and discuss matters pertinent to the Tanzanian diaspora.

Right! During the meeting, Ambassador Matinyi elucidated the definition of “diaspora” as per the 2001 Foreign Policy, updated in the 2024 edition.

This policy, launched on May 19, 2025, in Dar es Salaam by President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan, recognises two categories: Tanzanian citizens living abroad (Citizen Diaspora) and foreign nationals of Tanzanian origin (NonCitizen Diaspora).

Elaborating, Ambassador Matinyi emphasised the significant role the diaspora plays in the nation’s development.

And in particular, he highlighted President Samia’s call for diaspora members to invest in Tanzania to contribute to national progress.

Quoting the budget speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, Ambassador Matinyi shared that in 2024, Tanzanian diaspora members invested 7.5bn/- in the UTT Asset Management and Investor Services (UTT AMIS) fund and 9.28bn/- in the real estate sector through the National Housing Corporation (NHC) and the private sector.

Equally, Ambassador Matinyi urged Tanzanians in Sweden to foster unity and cooperation, as these are key values that define Tanzanians wherever they are in the world.

In depth, the UTT AMIS fund presents a viable avenue for such investments.

With a diverse portfolio that includes the Umoja Fund, Wekeza Maisha Fund, Watoto Fund, Jikimu Fund, Liquid Fund and Bond Fund, UTT AMIS offers opportunities for both short-term and long-term investments.

The fund’s performance has been commendable, with a reported 45.7 per cent increase in value over the past year, reflecting growing investor confidence.

Moreover, the National Housing Corporation (NHC) provides avenues for investments in the real estate sector, contributing to the development of infrastructure and housing in Tanzania.

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By investing in these sectors, the diaspora can play a pivotal role in addressing developmental challenges, including those related to nutrition and health.

The power of unity and cooperation Ambassador Matinyi’s call for unity and cooperation resonates deeply.

The diaspora, regardless of their location, shares a common bond and responsibility towards the nation’s progress.

By investing in Tanzania, they not only secure their financial future but also contribute to the collective well-being of the country.

The government’s initiatives, such as the updated Foreign Policy and the encouragement for diaspora investments, provide a conducive environment for such engagements.

It is imperative for Tanzanians abroad to seize these opportunities, ensuring that their contributions lead to tangible improvements in the nation’s development trajectory.

The meeting between Ambassador Matinyi and Tanzanians in Sweden serves as a reminder of the untapped potential within the diaspora community.

By aligning investments with national development goals, particularly in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure and health, the diaspora can significantly impact the country’s progress.

As Tanzania continues to navigate its developmental challenges, the collective efforts of its citizens, both at home and abroad, will be instrumental in shaping a prosperous future.

The call to invest in home is not just a financial appeal but a patriotic duty to contribute to the nation’s growth and well-being.

This comes with the background that Tanzania is no longer a sleeping giant. It is a nation on the rise, rich in resources, stability and opportunity.

But let us face it, no one is going to build our house better than we can.

This is where the Tanzanian diaspora comes in. You have seen what developed systems look like; you have lived in countries where public services run like clockwork and citizens enjoy the fruits of decades of smart investment.

It is now time to bring that experience and your money back home.

Investment is not just about profit. It is about planting a seed where it matters. When Tanzanians abroad invest in real estate, agriculture, energy, education, or financial instruments like the UTT AMIS fund, they are not just adding value to their portfolio, they are helping to build the Tanzania they would be proud to return to, or leave behind for future generations.

Le us be real: sending money for school fees, hospital bills, or family emergencies is commendable, but it is not sustainable. Smart investment creates value that multiplies over time.

Imagine your savings growing through secure, government-backed funds or your property in Dar es Salaam generating rental income while its value appreciates year after year.

That is not just helping, it is building. We all know that Tanzanians in Sweden, the UK, the US, Canada and beyond have networks namely friends, colleagues, business partners, who are always curious about where the next big opportunity lies.

Well, why not Tanzania? Why not tell your Swedish friend that our tourism sector needs ecolodges? Or your Canadian colleague that Tanzania’s energy transition is hungry for smart capital? We don’t just need remittances; we need ideas, partnerships and cross-border collaborations. Let us also remember the power of example.

When a Tanzanian abroad invests in a block of flats in Dodoma, launches a tech hub in Arusha, or funds a clean water project in Kigoma, others take notice.

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You normalise the idea that development is our collective job-not just something left to the government or NGOs.

President Samia’s administration has already laid out the welcome mat. Policies now actively encourage diaspora investment.

Projects like Stawisha Maisha are giving structure and support to diaspora-driven development.

In other words, the government has turned on the porch light now it’s time to come home.

So, whether you are sipping tea in Stockholm, working a night shift in Toronto, or running a business in Berlin, the message is simple: Tanzania is open for investment.

Let your money come home. Let your friends come with it. Together, we won’t just grow Tanzania