Tanzania and Russia Sign Cooperation Agreements Spanning Tourism, Energy and Trade
Tanzania and Russia signed cooperation agreements across 12 sectors on 16 May 2026, including tourism, health, agriculture, energy, education, and transport, during the third meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Russia-Tanzania Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation in Arusha. Minister of State for Planning and Investment, Prof Kitila Mkumbo, confirmed that the two countries are working towards at least 22 legal agreements in total, with additional signings expected during President Samia Suluhu Hassan's upcoming official visit to Moscow next month.
Tourism featured prominently among the priority areas, with Russia identified as one of Tanzania's major and growing tourist markets. The two countries are finalising arrangements for Air Tanzania to operate direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar and Moscow, with services expected to launch before the end of 2026. The new route is intended to directly boost Russian visitor arrivals to Tanzania. Broader agreements covering port infrastructure investment, gas and nuclear energy cooperation, and agricultural trade round out a partnership that signals deepening economic ties between Russia and one of East Africa's most visited destinations.
Surce: Daily News