Tanzania and Iran Sign Seven MoUs to Boost Economic Diplomacy

On 19^th October 2024, Tanzania and Iran signed seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening economic diplomacy between the two nations during the fifth session of the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) in Dar es Salaam.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Iran’s Minister of Agriculture, Golamreza Nouri Ghezelcheh.

The MoUs cover a wide range of sectors with representatives from various ministries, public institutions, and private organizations participating in the event.

The signed MoUs span several key areas of cooperation, including a partnership between Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture and Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture to enhance collaboration in the agricultural sector.

Another agreement focuses on strengthening cooperation in animal health between Tanzania’s Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and Iran’s Ministry of Agriculture. 

Additionally, a cultural cooperation agreement was established between Tanzania’s Ministry of Culture, Arts, and Sports and Iran’s Ministry of Sports and Youth and aims to promote cultural exchange and development in sports and youth activities.

Speaking at the event, Minister Kombo emphasized the importance of expanding areas of collaboration, particularly in trade and investment, agriculture, energy, defense and security, education, health, science and technology, and culture.

Tanzania and Iran Relations

Tanzania and Iran’s diplomatic relationship officially began on 13^th October 1982 marking the establishment of formal ties between the two nations, allowing for diplomatic engagement and cooperation across various sectors.

In 2022, Iran exported goods worth US$ 10.9 million to Tanzania, with key exports including pasta (US$ 2.52 million), cement (US$ 1.68 million), and sodium or potassium peroxides (US$ 1.07 million).

Conversely, Tanzania’s exports to Iran were valued at only US$ 563,000 in 2022, with the main products being pepper (US$ 354,000) and fake hair (US$ 62,100).