New Tanzanian Ambassador in UK to Strengthen Cooperation in Investment Trade and Tourism

The President of Tanzania, Dr. John Magufuli, has appointed Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro (Songea, 9 July 1956) as Ambassador of Tanzania in the UK.

Dr. Migiro replaces former Ambassador Peter Allan Kallaghe, who has returned home.

Migiro served as Minister of Community Development, Women and Children form 2000 to 2005 under President Mkapa’s administration.

She then briefly served as Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2006-2007 under President Kiwete, before being appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.

She held that position from 2007 to 2012 when she was appointed United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa.

From 2013 to 2015, she has been a member of the Tanzanian parliament (no constituency), and she was Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs from 2014 to the end of President Kiketwe’s mandate in November, 2015.

Before entering politics, she was a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), where she headed the Department of Constitution and Administrative Law from 1992 to 1994 and the Department of Civil and Criminal Law from 1994 to 1997.

She obtained her LL.B and LL.M from the University of Dar es Salaam and her PhD in 1992 from the University of Konstanz in Germany.

Speaking after her inauguration ceremony held at the State House on 5th May 2016, Dr. Migiro has pledged to further strengthen relationship between Tanzania and the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to investment, trade and tourism.

The UK is the largest foreign investor in Tanzania with 36% market share, followed by America and China.

British Foreign investments in Tanzania are spread out across multiple sectors, such as mining, manufacturing and agriculture.

Tanzania-UK total trade value was GBP143.4m in 2015, and exports from the UK to Tanzania reached GBP120.3m while imports to the UK from Tanzania totaled GBP23.1m.

The United Kingdom was also the second largest source of international visitors to Tanzania from overseas countries in 2014 with 60,034 arrivals.

However, there has been no direct flight between the two countries since 2013 when British Airways, which used to operate London-Dar es Salaam flights, suspended the route due to lack of profitability.

Tanzania is signatory of double taxation agreements with Kenya, Uganda, Italy,
Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, India and Zambia, but not with the UK.

However, foreign income tax paid by a Tanzanian resident person may be credited against the income tax payable in Tanzania calculated on worldwide income if there is no existing double-taxation agreement between Tanzania and that foreign country.