MOSCOW, Russia — Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has departed for the Russian Federation on a state visit aimed at strengthening diplomatic, trade and investment relations between the two countries.
In a statement before departure, President Suluhu said the visit follows an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin and marks a rare milestone in Tanzania’s diplomatic history.
It is only the second state visit by a Tanzanian Head of State to Russia since the historic trip by founding President Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in October 1969.
The visit comes at a time when Russia is intensifying high-level diplomatic engagements with global partners, as Moscow seeks to expand its political and economic alliances.
Tanzania’s trip places it among a growing number of African states deepening engagement with Russia amid evolving geopolitical and economic dynamics.
“I have today left the country heading to the Russian Federation for a state visit following an invitation from His Excellency President Vladimir Putin,” President Suluhu said.
“This is a significant visit, coming more than five decades after the one undertaken by our Father of the Nation, Mwalimu Julius Nyerere.”
President Suluhu said the visit aligns closely with Tanzania’s development agenda as the country prepares to roll out its Vision 2050 framework, which prioritises private sector-led growth and structural economic transformation.
She noted that the engagement will support efforts to expand international partnerships that contribute to long-term development goals.
“This visit is particularly important as we approach the implementation of Vision 2050, which calls for increased participation of the private sector in national development,” she said.
During the visit, discussions are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation in key strategic sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, education and industrial development.
According to the President, the objective is to ensure that bilateral cooperation delivers tangible benefits to citizens through job creation, technology transfer and expanded economic opportunities.
“We will hold discussions with our hosts aimed at strengthening cooperation in strategic sectors that touch the lives of our people,” she said.
President Suluhu is also expected to participate in business and investment forums designed to showcase Tanzania’s economic opportunities to Russian investors.
The forums are aimed at attracting foreign direct investment while also expanding export opportunities for Tanzanian goods in the Russian market and beyond.
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“We shall take part in business and investment platforms to present the opportunities available in our country. At the same time, we are working to open wider market access for Tanzanian products in Russia and beyond,” she said.
The visit underscores Tanzania’s broader foreign policy strategy of economic diplomacy, which prioritises investment attraction, trade expansion and diversified global partnerships.
Officials accompanying the President are expected to hold a series of bilateral meetings and sector-specific engagements throughout the visit.
The talks are anticipated to reinforce long-term cooperation between Dar es Salaam and Moscow, particularly in development-oriented sectors.
