Germany President Steinmeier on a three-day visit to Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier is expected to arrive in Tanzania for a three-day visit from October 30 to November 1, 2023.

President Steinmeier will be welcomed at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) by Foreign and East African Cooperation Minister January Makamba.

His delegation includes government officials and investors from 12 large companies, and he aims to strengthen diplomatic and development relations with Tanzania, as well as promote trade and investment.

On October 31, President Steinmeier will hold talks with his host, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, at the Magogoni State House in Dar es Salaam, followed by a joint press conference.

The two leaders will also participate in a business forum with businesspeople and investors from both countries, and receive a report on the forum's deliberations.

On the same day, President Steinmeier will meet and talk to young entrepreneurs dealing in innovation technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), under the funding of the German government. He will also visit the Twiga Cement factory in Dar es Salaam, which is operated in partnership with the German company Scancem International.

On November 1, President Steinmeier will travel to Songea, Ruvuma Region, to visit the Maji Maji War Museum and Maji Maji Primary School.

The museum is the only one in Tanzania that depicts the history of the Maji Maji War, which was fought against German colonial rule.

Tanzania and Germany have been in cordial diplomatic ties for the past 60 years.

The two countries cooperate in various strategic sectors, including trade and investment, water, health, gender equality, women empowerment, biodiversity protection, financial supervision, tourism, culture, and traditions.

Data from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) shows that Tanzania exports $42.04 million worth of commodities to Germany, mostly tobacco, coffee, cotton, honey, fish, wax, and gemstones.

Tanzania imports $237.43 million worth of commodities from Germany annually, especially medicines, medical devices, deodorants, cars, and electrical equipment.

Germany is among the top 10 countries leading in attracting investment to Tanzania. Data from TIC shows that 178 projects worth $408.11 million have been registered in the country by August 2023, creating 16,121 jobs.

In Zanzibar, 15 projects worth $300 million have been registered, creating 905 jobs.