Tanzania and Singapore have agreed to expand cooperation across five strategic sectors, including trade, investment, food security, youth empowerment and the digital economy, as both countries seek to deepen economic ties and boost development opportunities.
The agreement was reached during talks in Dar es Salaam between Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and visiting Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the first state visit by a Singaporean head of state since diplomatic relations were established 45 years ago.
President Samia said the visit marked a “historic” moment in bilateral relations and reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships.
“We have agreed to explore new ways of increasing trade, investment and private-sector cooperation,” she said after the talks at State House.
The two sides also signed draft agreements for five Memoranda of Understanding covering double taxation avoidance, skills development, carbon trading under the Paris Agreement, bilateral diplomatic consultations, and industrial and trade cooperation.
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Trade between the two countries currently stands at about US$299 million (≈₦407 billion), with Singapore having invested in 36 projects in Tanzania. President Samia said both sides agreed that the level of engagement should be expanded significantly.
Trade, investment and regional integration
Under the new framework, Tanzania and Singapore plan to strengthen trade and investment flows, including greater private-sector collaboration and improved business facilitation.
Both leaders also agreed to explore deeper cooperation between Singapore and the East African Community (EAC), as well as opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aimed at expanding regional and global market access.
Food security and agricultural investment
Food security emerged as a key area of cooperation, with Tanzania inviting Singapore to invest in agricultural production through what officials described as an offshore farming model.
Under the proposal, crops would be grown in Tanzania and exported directly to Singapore to support its food supply needs, while boosting Tanzanian agricultural output and export earnings.
President Samia said similar models were already being explored with other international partners, including Russia, which has begun agricultural investments in Tanzania.
Youth and digital economy focus
The two countries also agreed to cooperate on youth development, education, skills training and the digital economy as Tanzania prepares to implement its Vision 2050 development strategy.
President Samia said the initiative aims to equip young people with the skills needed for technological change and future labour markets.
“We want them to have education, skills, innovation and the ability to create their own employment opportunities,” she said.
Diplomatic and institutional ties
Both sides agreed to establish a formal bilateral consultation mechanism to ensure regular dialogue between government officials and experts. Tanzania also invited Singapore to establish a resident diplomatic mission in Dar es Salaam to strengthen coordination.
President Samia said the agreements reflect Tanzania’s openness to global partnerships and its intention to attract more investment, technology and expertise.
Singapore’s President Tharman said the discussions reflected shared ambitions to deepen cooperation and expand economic ties, particularly in trade, logistics and development partnerships.
The visit comes as Singapore, one of Asia’s leading financial and logistics hubs, seeks to expand its engagement in Africa, while Tanzania positions itself as a regional gateway for trade and investment in East Africa.
Officials said the agreements would now move toward finalisation and implementation through relevant government agencies in both countries.
