Why TZ-China ties outlast shifting geopolitics today

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA and China continue to stand out as one of the most enduring and symbolic partnerships in Africa–Asia relations, built on a foundation of solidarity, mutual respect and shared development goals that dates back more than six decades.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1964, shortly after the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the two countries have nurtured a relationship rooted in anti-colonial cooperation and South–South solidarity, evolving steadily into a comprehensive and strategic partnership.

The Tanzania–China relationship is often cited as among the oldest and most resilient in Africa, characterised by mutual trust, highlevel political engagement and consistent alignment on core principles such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and multilateral cooperation.

These principles remain central to the foreign policies of both nations and continue to guide their cooperation at bilateral, regional and global levels.

Over the years, the relationship has been reinforced through frequent exchanges between top leaders. President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Tanzania in March 2013, reaffirming China’s commitment to Africa and to Tanzania in particular.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan has also played a pivotal role in deepening ties, visiting Beijing in November 2022 for a State Visit and again in September 2024, reflecting the growing intensity and maturity of the partnership. The November 2022 State Visit marked a major milestone, as relations between Tanzania and China were elevated to a “Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership.”

This status represents the highest practical level of bilateral engagement, surpassing the traditional friendly cooperative relations that had previously defined the partnership.

The elevation signalled deeper cooperation across political, economic, social and cultural spheres, while opening new avenues for trade, investment and infrastructure development. China has emerged as one of Tanzania’s leading trading and development partners. Trade between the two countries has expanded significantly over the past five years.

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Tanzania’s exports to China rose from 238.8 million US dollars in 2020 to 443.0 million US dollars in 2024, representing an 85 per cent increase, or an average annual growth of 17 per cent. Imports from China also surged during the same period, increasing from 2,116.8 million US dollars to 4,780.1 million US dollars, a 125 per cent rise, equivalent to an annual average growth of 25 per cent.

Despite the growth in trade volumes and values, the trade balance remains in China’s favour, largely due to Tanzania’s limited productive capacity and value addition. However, experts note that Tanzania possesses strong and realistic potential to attract more Chinese investment, particularly if investment opportunities are structured to align with China’s current outward investment priorities.

These include industrial upgrading, supply-chain security, the green transition and strengthened South–South cooperation. The Tanzanian government has opportunities to leverage frameworks such as the Production Capacity Cooperation Programme under the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Under China’s industrial relocation plans, Tanzania is among four African countries prioritised to benefit from the relocation of selected industries, a move that could boost manufacturing, employment and export capacity. FOCAC, established in 2000, remains a central multilateral platform guiding China–Africa cooperation. It provides a structured mechanism for dialogue, policy coordination and project financing, with summits held every three years.

The most recent, the fourth FOCAC Summit, took place in Beijing in September 2024 under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Building a High-Level China–Africa Community with a Shared Future.” The summit adopted the Beijing Declaration of 2024 and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan for 2025–2027, committing China and African countries to ten priority action areas.

China further pledged financing amounting to 50 billion US dollars to support the Action Plan, including 29 billion US dollars in concessional loans, 11 billion US dollars in grants and 10 billion US dollars to support Chinese firms investing in Africa. One of the most significant areas of Tanzania–China cooperation remains infrastructure, particularly transport.

The Tanzania–Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) stands as a historic symbol of friendship and cooperation between the two nations. Stretching 1,860 kilometres, 975 kilometres in Tanzania and 885 kilometres in Zambia, the railway was constructed in the 1970s with Chinese support and has long been viewed as a monument to unity, solidarity and shared struggle.

In October 2022, the Chinese government submitted proposals to Tanzania and Zambia for the revitalisation of the TAZARA railway. The proposal involved leasing the railway to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to facilitate the transportation of minerals from Chineseowned mines in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These discussions culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Tanzania, Zambia and CCECC in September 2024 on the margins of the FOCAC Beijing Summit.

Further progress was made with the signing of Host Government and Concession Agreements on September 29, 2025, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia, in November 2025. The ceremony was attended by Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, Tanzania’s Vice President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi and China’s Premier Li Qing, underscoring the high-level political backing for the project.

The revitalisation of TAZARA has also featured prominently in recent diplomatic engagements. Speaking to journalists after receiving China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Wang Yi, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, emphasised the importance of strengthening fraternal relations and deepening strategic cooperation.