The foreign ministers of both countries have discussed expanding economic cooperation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Tanzanian counterpart Mahmoud Thabit Kombo held talks in Moscow on Monday, focusing on trade and broader economic relations between the two countries.  

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry's press release, "the ministers discussed a wide range of issues related to the further strengthening of the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Tanzania, with a special focus on expanding cooperation in trade, economic, and investment spheres."  

Both sides confirmed their intention to strengthen "constructive cooperation and coordinate efforts" on key global and regional matters through the UN and other multilateral platforms. 

Lavrov and Kombo also emphasized the importance of advancing previously reached agreements in preparation for the next session of the Joint Intergovernmental Russian-Tanzanian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, scheduled for May 2026.  

Trade between Russia and Tanzania increased significantly in 2025. Russian Economic Development Minister MaximReshetnikov said during a meeting with Kombo on Tuesday that over the first 11 months of 2025, bilateral trade between the two countries had increased by nearly 20%, mainly due to higher shipments of fertilizers to Tanzania and coffee purchases. 

In May, Reshetnikov highlighted ongoing efforts to diversify mutual trade ties and noted that more than 40 Russian companies had shown interest in exporting products to Tanzania across sectors including energy and agriculture.  

In December, Russian Ambassador to Tanzania Andrey Avetisyan said that Tanzania imports goods from Russia worth about $2.26 billion annually, mainly wheat, chemicals, and machinery, while its exports to Russia are around $5.8 million. He also noted that efforts are underway to restore direct flights between Russia and Tanzania to boost visitor numbers, with Russian tourism companies already working with the Tanzania Tourist Board to develop travel packages focused on national parks and Zanzibar. 

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Moscow has maintained diplomatic relations with Tanzania since 1961, and formal mechanisms like the joint commission were set up in 2022 to support coordination and the expansion of bilateral trade.