MWE Correspondent
Tanzania is this week hosting Dr. Constantinos Kombos, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, who has arrived on a three-day diplomatic mission on behalf of Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
The visit, which runs from July 9 to 11, is part of a broader effort by the European Union to strengthen its partnership with Tanzania, ahead of the country’s much-anticipated 2025 general elections.
Dr. Kombos is expected to meet with Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, as well as other high-ranking government officials, civil society organizations, youth representatives, and business leaders.
The diplomatic discussions will span a wide range of topics including governance, regional security, investment, and the evolving role of Tanzania in East African and continental politics. The EU is especially interested in supporting credible democratic processes and inclusive political dialogue as Tanzania prepares for elections.
The visit also marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between Tanzania and the EU, a milestone that both sides see as an opportunity to build a deeper, more balanced partnership based on mutual interests and shared values.
A key theme of the talks will be the EU’s Global Gateway initiative — the €300 billion strategy aimed at delivering sustainable infrastructure, clean energy, digital connectivity, and climate-smart investments across partner countries in Africa and beyond.
Tanzania, rich in natural resources like cobalt, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements, is seen as a key ally in the EU’s bid to secure critical raw materials needed for its Green Deal and green technology transition.
The EU is also eyeing opportunities to support youth employment, women’s economic empowerment, and digital innovation in Tanzania, which is increasingly being recognized as a rising hub for ICT and fintech growth in East Africa.
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This visit follows up on high-level talks held in Brussels in April, where Tanzanian foreign officials met with Kaja Kallas, Koen Doens (Director-General of the EU’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships), and Thomas Östros, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Those discussions emphasized EU support for democratic reforms, climate action, and sustainable development — particularly in regions that face challenges from climate variability and resource pressures.
Tanzania’s role in promoting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, including conflict zones in Eastern DRC and Mozambique, is expected to feature prominently in the talks. The EU views Tanzania as a “trusted regional anchor”, thanks to its historical neutrality and growing diplomatic influence in East African Community (EAC) affairs.
In a press statement released prior to his arrival, Dr. Kombos said, “This is not just a symbolic trip — it’s a mission to move our relationship forward in a meaningful, people-centered way.”
The visit also symbolizes a shift in how the EU engages with African nations — less as aid recipients and more as equal partners in diplomacy, innovation, and investment. EU Ambassador to Tanzania, Christine Grau, called the visit a reflection of “a strategic, forward-looking partnership grounded in transparency, democracy, and sustainable development.”
By connecting with Tanzanian leaders across the political, economic, and civil landscape, Dr. Kombos is expected to reaffirm the EU’s interest in long-term collaboration that benefits citizens on both sides of the partnership.
