MWE Correspondent
Tanzania has joined other African nations at the Fifth Singapore-Africa Ministerial Exchange Visit (SAMEV), a high-level forum aimed at deepening cooperation in trade, investment, and sustainable development between Singapore and the African continent.
The Tanzanian delegation is being led by the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, who arrived in Singapore ahead of the week-long events that include the Africa-Singapore Business Forum (ASBF).
Opening the conference, Singapore’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, stressed the importance of building stronger partnerships in today’s volatile global economy. He pointed to challenges such as trade barriers, rising tariffs, climate-related disasters, and political conflicts that continue to disrupt growth worldwide.
“This is the right time to put together strategies so that we can withstand these challenges and continue to grow economically,” Dr. Balakrishnan told delegates.
For Tanzania, SAMEV comes at a critical moment as the country seeks new markets and technology partnerships. Since 1997, Singaporean companies have invested in more than 36 projects in Tanzania, valued at around USD 535 million and creating over 3,000 jobs. These projects are largely in the industrial sector, underscoring Singapore’s role as a key partner in East Africa’s economic transformation.
Through the new round of cooperation, Tanzania expects to benefit in several areas: expanding access to agricultural and mineral markets, attracting renewable energy investments, strengthening its digital economy, and enhancing youth training and education through scholarships and vocational programs.
Also Read; India Defends Oil Trade Amid Western Criticism
These opportunities align with Tanzania’s broader strategy under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to integrate African economies into a single trading bloc. The country also benefits from its membership in the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), both of which Singapore has expressed readiness to engage with.
Singapore’s growing interest in Africa is driven by factors such as the continent’s 1.3 billion population, abundant natural resources, youthful workforce (with nearly 70% under the age of 30), and rapid urbanization. For Singapore, cooperation with Africa represents not only a diplomatic priority but also an opportunity to diversify its global partnerships.
The biennial SAMEV, first held in 2014, has become an important platform for shaping this cooperation. This year’s edition has drawn high-level participation, including former Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama, underlining the growing strategic significance of the forum.
For Tanzania, the outcomes of SAMEV could mark a turning point in diversifying its economy and positioning itself as a regional trade hub. By leveraging partnerships in renewable energy, digital innovation, and the blue economy, the country aims to build resilience against global shocks while creating opportunities for its youthful population.
