IN 2024, President Samia Suluhu Hassan embarked on several international trips that significantly advanced the nation’s economic, diplomatic and infrastructural development.
In the course, these international engagements have positioned Tanzania to benefit from increased foreign investment, improved infrastructure and strengthened diplomatic relations, contributing to the country’s overall development.
These visits also underscored her commitment to strengthening Tanzania’s global partnerships and attracting foreign investment.
In April 2024, President Samia visited Turkey, where she was awarded an honorary degree in economics by Ankara University.
During her visit, she expressed support for Turkey’s peace efforts and discussed strengthening bilateral relations. This visit was aimed at enhancing economic cooperation and attracting Turkish investments in various sectors of Tanzania’s economy.
In May 2024, President Samia co-chaired the Global Clean Cooking Energy Summit in France, emphasising Tanzania’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions.
During this visit, she signed a bilateral partnership agreement with France, focusing on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure and education.
This partnership is expected to facilitate technology transfer, boost investment and create employment opportunities in Tanzania.
During this Summit, President Samia emphasised Tanzania’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions. She stated, “Our partnership with France in advancing clean cooking energy is a testament to our dedication to environmental sustainability and improving the health of our citizens.”
Later in May, President Samia undertook a one-week state visit to South Korea. She engaged in discussions aimed at learning from South Korea’s rapid economic transformation and explored avenues for bilateral cooperation.
The visit resulted in agreements to collaborate in sectors such as technology, manufacturing and education.
This collaboration is anticipated to enhance Tanzania’s industrialisation efforts and improve its technological capabilities.
She highlighted the importance of learning from South Korea’s rapid economic transformation. She remarked, “Africa has a lot to learn from South Korea’s transformation.We need to learn how they did it.”
In June, President Samia made a state visit to Oman, where she was welcomed by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq.
She addressed Omani business members, encouraging them to invest in Tanzania. Various Memorandums of Understanding were signed in agriculture, oil and gas, and trade, aiming to boost economic cooperation and attract investments from Oman.
In July, President Samia attended the International Development Association (IDA20) Summit in Dakar, Senegal.
During the summit, she engaged in discussions on development financing and strategies to address challenges faced by developing countries.
Her participation underscored Tanzania’s commitment to sustainable development and collaboration with international financial institutions.
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Also, in August, President Samia attended the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit, where she was appointed chair of the SADC Troika.
This role positions Tanzania at the forefront of regional security and political stability initiatives, enhancing its influence within the SADC region.
Under her leadership, Tanzania is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing regional challenges and promoting economic integration.
She then participated in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation FOCAC which was held in September, in Beijing, during this summit, she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to revive the TAZARA railway.
This agreement aims to enhance transportation infrastructure, facilitating trade and movement between Tanzania and its neighbouring countries.
The revitalisation of Tanzania Zambia Railway (TAZARA) is expected to boost economic activities and strengthen regional integration.
At the FOCAC, President Samia expressed Tanzania’s readiness for deeper ChinaAfrica links. She noted, “Tanzania is ready to deepen cooperation with China to achieve mutual benefits and common development.
She also attended the 42nd Heads of State Summit of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The summit focused on regional integration, peace and security. Her participation highlighted Tanzania’s active role in regional affairs and commitment to promoting stability and economic integration in Southern Africa.
In October, she visited the United States to discuss global food security and engage with government and private sector leaders in agriculture.
This visit aimed to attract investment in Tanzania’s agricultural sector, promote sustainable farming practices and enhance food production. Strengthening the agricultural sector is crucial for Tanzania’s economy, as it employs a significant portion of the population and contributes substantially to GDP.
During this visit, President Samia underscored the importance of international collaboration in agriculture. She stated, “Engaging with global partners is crucial for advancing our agricultural sector and ensuring food security for our nation.
” In November, President Samia planned a state visit to Cuba to promote Kiswahili and strengthen health sector ties. Although the trip was postponed due to Hurricane Rafael, the intended visit underscores Tanzania’s commitment to cultural diplomacy and improving healthcare services through international cooperation.
Strengthening ties with Cuba is expected to enhance medical training and healthcare delivery in Tanzania.
She emphasised, “Cultural diplomacy and healthcare collaboration are pivotal for our bilateral relations and the wellbeing of our people.”
In the same month, she attended the G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as an invited guest.
During the summit, she held bilateral meetings with several heads of state, discussing potential collaborations in areas such as trade, investment and technology.
Her participation elevated Tanzania’s profile on the global stage and opened avenues for economic partnerships with G20 member states.
