Egypt to expand investments in Tanzania, uplift bilateral ties
Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, shake hands after a bilateral meeting in Dar es Salaam on March 19, 2025. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Egypt is currently Tanzania’s eighth-largest foreign investor, with investments totalling $1.367 billion and generating approximately 3,800 jobs.
Dar es Salaam. Egypt has unveiled plans to expand its investments in Tanzania across key sectors, including technology, education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
The move aims to deepen historical ties between the two nations and usher in a new era of collaboration.
The announcement was made during a two-day official visit by Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Badr Abdelatty, who was accompanied by over ten top Egyptian business leaders.
A key focus of Dr Abdelatty’s visit was finalising the launch date for the long-awaited Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam. The multi-billion-dollar project, now 99.9 percent complete, is expected to be a game-changer for Tanzania’s energy sector and the wider region.
The dam’s inauguration is imminent, with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi committed to attending, given the joint efforts of both nations in its construction.
“We aspire for the relationship between Tanzania and Egypt to set a benchmark for brotherhood and cooperation among Nile Basin countries. This is our shared vision,” Dr Abdelatty told journalists on March 19, 2025.
The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Dam, a flagship project in African infrastructure cooperation, is set to enhance Tanzania’s energy security while unlocking further investment opportunities, particularly in infrastructure and energy.
Dr Abdelatty reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering commitment to the project, describing it as a “model for African cooperation.” Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mr Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, underscored the strategic discussions held between the two countries.
“This is a pivotal moment. We are not just discussing trade; we are reinforcing a historic relationship with a vision for the future,” he said.
Egypt is currently Tanzania’s eighth-largest foreign investor, with investments totalling $1.367 billion and generating approximately 3,800 jobs.
However, both ministers acknowledged that while these figures are promising, they remain modest compared to the vast potential of bilateral economic cooperation.
“The time has come to expand our partnership,” Mr Kombo added. “The opportunities between our two nations are immense, and this visit is a crucial step towards harnessing them.”
Dr Abdelatty highlighted Tanzania’s favourable business environment, crediting President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership for fostering a conducive investment climate.
He noted a surge in interest from Egyptian entrepreneurs and investors keen to explore opportunities in Tanzania.
“We are encouraging our small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to look to Tanzania.
