The world is watching Tanzania, make it count

ARUSHA: TANZANIA has brought the world to Arusha. Now it must prove that it knows what to do with the attention.

The opening of the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly is a major diplomatic achievement and an important moment for Tanzania.

With more than 2,000 delegates from parliaments and international institutions gathered in Arusha, the country has secured something that money alone cannot easily buy: Global visibility. For five days, Tanzania will be at the centre of global parliamentary diplomacy.

This is an opportunity to strengthen international relations, promote national interests, attract investment, expand tourism and build partnerships in education, technology, health, agriculture, trade and climate action.

Tanzania must use this assembly as a launching pad for sustained engagement. Parliament should systematically follow up relationships established with counterpart legislatures.

There should be a clear mechanism for recording bilateral engagements, identifying opportunities and assigning institutions responsible for follow-up. If a parliamentarian from another country expresses interest in Tanzania’s investment opportunities, who follows up?

If a university seeks cooperation, which institution takes the matter forward? If a business delegation identifies a potential project, who ensures that the investor receives timely support?

The same urgency should apply to tourism. Thousands of international visitors will have an opportunity to experience Tanzania’s hospitality, culture, cuisine and world-renowned attractions. Arusha will definitely showcase itself as more than a gateway to safari destinations; it can strengthen its position as a conference, business and investment hub.

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Parliament, in particular, has a responsibility to demonstrate that parliamentary diplomacy is not ceremonial diplomacy.

Legislators should use their international networks to advance Tanzania’s economic and diplomatic interests while remaining focused on the country’s long-term priorities.

The government, meanwhile, should establish a post-IPU action framework with measurable targets.

Tanzania should know how many investment leads emerged from the assembly, how many institutional partnerships were initiated, what trade opportunities were identified and which diplomatic engagements require follow-up.

This is especially important because international conferences are often celebrated for their immediate economic impact on hotels, transport operators, restaurants and other businesses.

Those benefits matter, but they are temporary. The greater prize is what comes afterwards: Investment, tourism, trade, knowledge transfer, technology partnerships and stronger diplomatic relationships. Tanzania has already earned the spotlight. It must now demonstrate that it deserves it.