MWE Correspondent
Tanzania and Finland have reaffirmed their strong bilateral ties, focusing on expanded trade, investment, and sustainable development cooperation.
This came during the Tanzania–Finland Trade and Investment Forum, held in Dar es Salaam, which brought together policymakers and private-sector stakeholders from both countries.
Speaking at the event, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, expressed the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s investment climate. He assured the Finnish business delegation that Tanzania is actively reforming policies to reduce bureaucracy, streamline business registration and licensing, and improve customs procedures to promote efficient service delivery to investors.
“Tanzania does not want to be merely a market for Finnish products, but a long-term, reliable partner in trade and investment,” Kombo emphasized.
He highlighted investment opportunities in areas such as information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural innovation. Tanzanian entrepreneurs were also urged to tap into opportunities in the Finnish market, especially for organic and natural products, which Finland values for their quality, sustainability, and transparency.
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During the forum, the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, praised Tanzania’s efforts to improve the business environment. He reiterated Finland’s readiness to collaborate in priority areas including education and vocational training, renewable energy, environmental conservation, and sustainable agriculture.
“We see Tanzania as a vital gateway to the East African market,” said President Stubb, who is on an official state visit accompanied by a delegation of Finnish investors.
The visit is part of Finland’s broader effort to deepen trade relations and promote strategic partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa. Tanzania, for its part, is prioritizing sectors that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially on decent work and economic growth, climate action, and responsible consumption.
Bilateral cooperation between the two countries dates back to the 1960s, with Finland contributing significantly to sectors such as education, forest conservation, gender equality, and tax reform.
Stakeholders at the forum also explored prospects in the blue economy, digital transformation, and infrastructure development—areas crucial to Tanzania’s Vision 2025.
