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| Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, pictured with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow City, on June 3, 2026. |
The state visit of Tanzanian President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan to the Russian Federation has inaugurated a significant new phase in economic cooperation between the two nations. The focus is squarely on boosting Tanzania's economy through enhanced trade, investment, and strategic projects.
Over the past five years, bilateral trade has shown remarkable expansion. The total trade value surged from USD 178.8 million in 2020 to approximately USD 307.5 million in 2025. This upward trajectory is widely seen as a success for the economic diplomacy pursued by Tanzania's Sixth Phase Government.
Tanzania's exports to Russia have grown particularly fast, jumping from USD 7.5 million in 2020 to USD 29.5 million in 2025. This indicates a strengthening foothold for Tanzanian goods in the vast East European market. Key exports include black tea, tobacco, cashew nuts, coconuts, rose flowers, hides, minerals, and ornamental wood products, which are gaining competitiveness internationally due to their quality.
On the import side, Russia remains a crucial source of industrial inputs for Tanzania, supplying fertilizers, wheat, iron and steel products, petroleum oils, sulphur, and various goods used in industrial and agricultural production.
Major Investments Driving Development
This trade growth is matched by a rise in major project investments by Russian companies in Tanzania. To date, over 70 projects worth more than USD 434.22 million have been invested across various economic sectors. These projects have already created over 3,018 jobs for Tanzanians while opening new avenues for technology transfer, skills development, and domestic revenue through the deepening economic partnership.
The most prominent project attracting global investor attention is the Mkuju River Uranium Project in the Ruvuma Region. Valued at USD 1.2 billion and operated by Mantra Tanzania Ltd—a subsidiary of Russia's ROSATOM—this project is poised to position Tanzania among Africa's leading uranium producers. With an estimated annual production capacity of up to 3,000 tonnes of uranium, the government anticipates significant benefits through revenues, taxes, and annual dividends.
President Samia's launch of a uranium processing pilot plant in the Nyota area in 2025 has been highlighted as a clear signal of Tanzania's commitment to leveraging its mineral resources for national development and adding value to the domestic mining sector.
Collaboration Beyond Mining
Beyond uranium, Tanzania and Russia are also advancing cooperation in the energy sector through natural gas and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) projects. These are being implemented via a partnership between Gazprom International and Anric Energy, aiming to bolster the availability of clean and affordable energy in Tanzania.
In the transport and ports sector, the Russian company FESCO, in collaboration with the Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), is progressing with plans to upgrade infrastructure at the Dar es Salaam Port. This includes the comprehensive development of Berths 14 and 15 to enhance the port's capacity to handle over 30 million tonnes of cargo annually.
A Strategic Catalyst
President Samia's visit to Russia is expected to act as a catalyst for attracting fresh investment, boosting international trade, and solidifying Tanzania's role as a key hub for commerce, energy, and logistics in the East and Southern Africa region.