TANZANIA and the US of America announced yesterday a series of new areas of cooperation to strengthen ties between the two countries.
The areas in which cooperation will be strengthened include commercial engagement, digital connectivity, investment in women and youth, fostering democratic values, food security, marine conservation, and health.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan along with US Vice-President Kamala Harris, who is visiting the country on a three-day official trip, unveiled the new initiatives at the State House in Dar es Salaam.
If ones action inspires you, they’re your role model.
If you see someone, and see a reflection of you someday – they are your role model.
These power women inspire me. @SuluhuSamia @VP #KamalaInTanzania pic.twitter.com/T3fdOnMkXF
— Chikulupi (@Chikulupi3) March 30, 2023
It was after a long session of private talks that Dr Samia and her guest VP Harris gave a short media speech.
“This visit will not only provide opportunity for our countries to strengthen existing relationship, but will also provide platform for new areas of cooperation
"Tanzania welcomes the readiness of the government of the United States of America to review the existing visa status to enable the citizen of our two nations to benefit for a long duration,” President @SuluhuSamia at a joint press conference with USA @VP @KamalaHarris in Dar… pic.twitter.com/su6euy8wv6
— Daily News Tanzania (@dailynewstz) March 31, 2023
“I understand that we have signed some Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) including Port Cooperation, and commercial dialogue,” said Dr Samia.
Tumeanza kuzoea kupokea salamu za pongezi. Mh. Rais @SuluhuSamia unatupa heshima kama taifa. Tunakushukuru kwa utendaji na maono yako. Umelitibu Taifa na Dunia inajua. Asante sana Serikali ya Marekani kwa kuliona na kutambua Uongozi wenye maono. Asante Rais @POTUS , Asante @VP . pic.twitter.com/mT77Iimmyd
— Ridhiwani Jakaya Kikwete, Ndc (@ridhiwankikwete) March 30, 2023
In her remarks, she said each of these agreements had a lot to deal with, and Tanzania was going to work on them and identify the key issues in each of them.
“I would like to request one of the most important things from you, which is to ensure that these agreements are fully implemented. Having said that, I want to assure you that the Tanzania government is committed to honouring the agreements that were signed between us,” stated President Samia.
VP Harris said the Biden-Harris administration was committed to strengthening the relationship between the two countries going forward.
Picha 4 za Mhe. Rais Dkt. @SuluhuSamia na Makamu wa Rais wa Marekani Mhe. @KamalaHarris katika Ikulu ya Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. pic.twitter.com/oPyujGY1pT
— Gerson Msigwa (@MsigwaGerson) March 30, 2023
“It is our shared goal to increase economic investment in Tanzania and strengthen our economic ties. To do so I am pleased to announce a series of new initiatives,” Harris said, standing alongside President Samia.
According to her, one of the new initiatives is the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) and the government of Tanzania will sign an MoU to expand the US-Tanzania commercial engagement by empowering US businesses to export quality, innovative goods, and services to Tanzania.
She said the MoU, which will facilitate up to 500 million US Dollars equivalent to 1.1tril/- in US export financing to Tanzania, will support exports in a variety of sectors, particularly: infrastructure, transportation, climate and energy security, and power generation and distribution projects.
.@VP Harris and @SecondGentleman joined President @SuluhuSamia for a dinner at the State House. 🇺🇸🇹🇿 #MVPinAfrica #USinTanzania
📸: @ikulumawasliano pic.twitter.com/quTRJivQbb
— best of kamala harris (@archivekamala) March 30, 2023
Ms Harris further said the MoU will support jobs in both Tanzania and the US and builds on EXIM’s Congressional mandate to increase US exporters’ relationships in sub-Saharan Africa.
“In Tanzania alone, work is currently underway to build the first of its kind processing facility on the continent for minerals that goes into electric vehicle batteries, this will deliver battery great nickel to the USA and global markets as soon as 2026,” she noted.
Harris said the project was an important and pioneering model using innovative and low-emission technology and high labour standard, importantly raw minerals will soon be processed in Tanzania by Tanzanians, it will help address the climate crisis, build resilience in global supply chains and create new industries and jobs.
“So, our administration is now working with partners to identify additional opportunities for critical minerals from the region to be processed in this new facility,” said Ms Harris.
.@VP Harris and President @SuluhuSamia delivered statements to the press. 🇺🇸🇹🇿 #MVPinAfrica #USinTanzania
📸: @ikulumawasliano / @gardnerakayla pic.twitter.com/PGqo1zLX7x
— best of kamala harris (@archivekamala) March 30, 2023
In support of the breadth and depth of bilateral engagement between the two countries, the Biden-Harris administration intends to provide 560 million equivalent to 1.3tril/- in bilateral assistance in 2024 fiscal year for Tanzania.
During their April 2022 bilateral meeting, President Samia and Vice President Harris committed to focus on strengthening the US-Tanzania partnership on cybersecurity.
Since then, the US has worked closely with the government of Tanzania to conduct a regional workshop.
The Department of State will convene alumni of the Humphrey Fellowship, a Fulbright Exchange Program, in Dar es Salaam on April 28, this year for a solutions-focused conference and dialogue on promoting food security and resilient food systems in Africa.
Informed by key takeaways from the US-Africa Leaders Summit, alumni will chair roundtables on sustainable land and water management, agricultural technology, and related issues. The conference will showcase the contributions and importance of Humphrey Alumni from several African countries in addressing complex regional and global challenges.
