Tanzania, UK tighten trade ties with new investment pact

LONDON: Tanzania and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their strong economic partnership, agreeing to strengthen collaboration through the newly formed Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA). The two nations will also establish a joint delivery team to conduct quarterly reviews, ensuring the swift rollout of key investment projects.

TISEZA, created under the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Act No. 6 of 2025, now serves as Tanzania’s primary body for overseeing investment promotion, coordination, facilitation, and the management of Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The authority aims to be the single point of contact for all investors, streamlining procedures and enhancing the business environment.

This move reflects the Tanzanian government’s broader reforms aimed at making the country more attractive to foreign investors.

ALSO READ: Zanzibar steps up fight against student drug abuse

The agreement was reached during high-level discussions in London between Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and the UK’s Special Trade Envoy for East Africa, Kate Asamor. The talks focused on scaling up trade and investment efforts across several sectors, including energy, mining, agriculture, green finance, the blue economy, and digital innovation.

Minister Kombo emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to improving the business climate and ensuring the successful execution of projects backed by UK financial institutions, such as UK Export Finance (UKEF) and British International Investment (BII). He also highlighted the historical partnership between the two nations, underscoring the value of UK-backed investments in job creation, trade expansion, and growth in strategic sectors like critical minerals and clean energy.

Asamor praised Tanzania’s efforts to modernize its investment environment and reiterated the UK’s support for ongoing and future joint initiatives. She expressed the UK’s readiness to enhance infrastructure development in Zanzibar, support digital projects, promote green initiatives, and improve market access for Tanzanian agricultural products.

The joint delivery team will be tasked with tracking progress and addressing any bottlenecks, ensuring that the ambitious plans translate into tangible results. Both countries view this strengthened cooperation as vital to unlocking economic potential and advancing shared development goals in the region.

This renewed alliance positions Tanzania as a key player in East Africa’s investment landscape—and strengthens the UK’s role as a committed trade and development partner.