Tanzania's Foreign Policy Launch Strengthens Afro-Latin Solidarity and South-South Cooperation

Business Wire

26-05-2025

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tanzania's new Foreign Policy framework, which was recently launched in Dar es Salaam calls for deeper Afro-Latin American solidarity and cultural diplomacy.
It highlights the historical ties and shared development priorities between Tanzania, Brazil, and Cuba.
The policy was launched on 19 May during an event officiated by the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The launch was also attended by Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior government leaders and representatives from the private sector.
Since independence, Tanzania's diplomacy has upheld anti-colonial values and cultural pride. The new policy revisits these roots while advancing people-centered development, multilingual engagement, and innovation partnerships with Latin America.
With strong foundations in education, health, and liberation history, Tanzania invites renewed collaboration with Latin American partners
The policy also supports Kiswahili promotion, South-South innovation, climate justice, and people-centered development — offering new pathways for engagement under platforms like the G77, UNCTAD, and the African Union-CELAC dialogue.
Speaking during the launching ceremony, President Samia told the delegates that the drafting of the policy included views of Tanzanians from all walks of life.
'The drafting of the policy was participatory since we wanted everyone to participate in the process; it was high time we revised the policy to cope with the global shifts in various spheres,' she remarked.
She mentioned some of the global shifts as the ongoing scramble for strategic minerals as the world seeks to move towards renewable energy from fossil fuel as well as disruptions of trade value chains caused by conflicts in some countries.
According to President Samia, the renewed policy sets a clear course on how Tanzania engages with the world-grounded in national interest, principle and responsive to evolving global context.
'This policy speaks on who we are as a nation, firm in our values, proactive in our diplomacy and committed to constructive partnerships that advance peace, security and shared prosperity,' she affirmed.
The guidelines plan special training for officials and envoys to achieve goals of economic diplomacy, where a key feature is granting special status to the Tanzania non-citizen Diaspora, formalizing their role in national development.
The President urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation to make use of retired diplomats to conduct special trainings for officials in the ministry and other government offices on implementation of the policy.
For his part, President Mwinyi said the updated policy will unlock potentials in many areas socially, economically and politically.
'Tanzania continues to position itself in greater heights globally and the revised policy aligns with the needs of the evolving world,' he stated.
On the other hand, Dr Mwinyi urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to woo more countries to open consulates in Zanzibar with the aim of opening up the isles to the world.
He went on and called on Tanzanians to protect the interests of their country through implementation of the new policy.
'We should use the policy to protect the interest of our country, the new guidelines will benefit both parts of the union Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar,' he noted.
Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo said the revised policy seeks to foster deeper economic cooperation with development partners; support non-alignment and South-South cooperation.
The Minister explained that the revised Foreign Policy focuses on 10 thematic areas, namely economic diplomacy; the promotion of peace, security, and political stability; the ratification and domestication of international treaties and protocols.
The new policy also seeks to embrace effective participation in bilateral, regional and international bodies; the use of Kiswahili as an instrument of diplomacy and mobilizing international resources for national development, he stated.
Other areas of focus are diaspora participation, maximizing opportunities arising from the blue economy and dispensing human rights and good governance in accordance with the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania of 1977 and its social and cultural values.
As part of efforts to promote Kiswahili, the governments of Tanzania and Cuba hosted the First International Kiswahili Conference in Havana, from November 7 to 10, last year.
President Samia's advocacy for Kiswahili has marked a historic milestone in Tanzania's cultural diplomacy.
Through strategic engagements at the United Nations and UNESCO, she successfully campaigned for the recognition of July 7th as World Swahili Language Day. This achievement, secured through a UNESCO Resolution in November 2021, was followed by further efforts that led to the UN General Assembly's 2024 decision to officially recognize Kiswahili Day starting in 2025.
President Samia's vision extends beyond symbolic recognition; she has established Kiswahili language centers in international universities and promoted its study worldwide, cementing Tanzania's role as a cultural leader in global forums.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation.
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Image Caption (1): H.E. Amb. Mindi Kasiga, Director of Communication at the Government Communications Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African cooperation speaking at the Tanzania Foreign Policy 2024 Launch event in Dar es Salaam recently
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Image Caption (2): H.E. Amb. Samwel William Shelukindo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation addresses attendees at the launch of the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) event in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Image Caption (3): H.E. Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council speaks during celebrations to mark the official launch of the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Image Caption (4): Young Tanzanian singers entertain the audience during celebrations to launch the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) recently in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Image Caption (5): H.E. Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete former President of the United Republic of Tanzania (centre) with H.E. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation at an event to mark the launch of Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Image Caption (6): H.E. Amb. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo speaking at the launch of the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
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Image Caption (7): H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania addressing attendees at an event to officially launch the Tanzania Foreign Policy (2024) held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania recently