Written by: Badr Ahmed

The relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United Republic of Tanzania are a distinguished model of African cooperation based on mutual respect and common interests, as they are based on a historical legacy that extends back to the era of the late leaders Gamal Abdel Nasser and Julius Nyerere, who contributed to consolidating the principles of African solidarity and supporting the national liberation movement, leading to participation in the founding of the Organization of African Unity, which later became the African Union.

In recent years, Egyptian-Tanzanian relations have witnessed a remarkable leap forward at the political, economic and developmental levels, driven by the political will of the two countries’ leaders, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who have emphasized on several occasions the importance of raising bilateral cooperation to broader horizons that serve the interests of the two peoples and enhance development efforts in the African continent.

Growing Egyptian investments in Tanzania are boosting economic cooperation between the two countries.

Tanzania holds a special place in Egyptian foreign policy, being one of the Nile Basin countries and a pivotal state in East Africa. This is reflected in the frequency of meetings and communications between the two countries' leaderships. In December 2025, President El-Sisi telephoned President Samia Hassan to congratulate her on her re-election, praising the rapid development of bilateral relations, which he described as a model for economic integration among African nations.

This political rapprochement culminated in extensive economic and developmental cooperation, spearheaded by the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Dam and Power Plant project, being implemented by Egyptian companies led by a consortium of Arab Contractors and Elsewedy Electric. The project is considered one of Tanzania's largest national projects and a symbol of successful African partnership, having surpassed 991 TPD3T completion rates and becoming a practical model of the ability of Egyptian expertise to contribute to achieving sustainable development across the continent.

Economic relations have also witnessed increasing growth in recent years, with a rise in Egyptian investments in the Tanzanian market and the expansion of Egyptian companies' activities in the infrastructure, energy, agriculture, industry, and logistics sectors. Cairo and Dar es Salaam are seeking to enhance trade by establishing logistics zones and direct transport routes, and by expanding banking and investment cooperation.

On the diplomatic front, relations between the two countries are characterized by a high degree of coordination within the African Union and international forums, particularly concerning issues of peace and security, sustainable development, counterterrorism, and climate change. Both sides are also keen to enhance consultations on issues related to the Nile Basin, East Africa, and the Great Lakes region, thereby contributing to regional stability and the achievement of shared interests.

With the continued convening of the joint committee between the two countries and the exchange of high-level visits, Egyptian-Tanzanian relations appear poised for further development, under a shared vision based on deepening economic cooperation, expanding development partnerships, and strengthening joint African action, reflecting the depth of historical ties between Cairo and Dar es Salaam and establishing a new phase of strategic cooperation between the two countries.