Historically, the European Union (EU) and Tanzania have enjoyed a robust economic relationship based upon steadily growing investment and trade, and strong diplomatic ties.
Cooperation is a fundamental pillar of EU-Tanzania relations. EU-Tanzania cooperation has three main objectives: to reduce poverty, promote sustainable development and support integration of the country into the world economy.
Investment & Trade
The EU is a major trade and investment partner for Tanzania.
In 2020, the EU was the fourth most prominent destination of Tanzania’s exports and investors from the EU contributed significantly to the Tanzanian economy.
Foreign Direct Investment from companies of the ten most active EUMember States into Tanzania was USD 1.5 billion between 2013 and 2020.
In 2021, total trade between Tanzania and the EU reached EUR 1.3 billion, of which EUR 457 million imports from Tanzania and EUR 856 exports to Tanzania.
The EU and the EAC Partner States concluded the negotiations of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2014, but the agreement never entered into force because some EAC Partner States, including Tanzania, did not sign it.
The EPA provides for immediate trade liberalization of EAC exports to the EU and for a gradual liberalization of EAC imports from the EU during a variable duration of time up to a maximum of 25 years depending on the sensitivity of the products.
The agreement also provides for cooperation on trade, customs, sanitary and phytosanitary measures and rules of origin.
In the absence of EPA, the individual EAC Partner States maintain their bilateral trade arrangements with the EU.
EU Support To Tanzania
On 18th February 2022, the President of the European Commission (EC) Hon. Ursula Von der Leyen met with Tanzania’s President Hon. Samia Suluhu Hassan on her visit to Belgium.
Fifteen European Union countries, the United Kingdom, and Canada issued a joint statement on Tanzania's post-election violence, calling on authorities to release bodies to families and free all political prisoners. The statement cited credible reports of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests following the October 29 elections.
The European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning post-election killings in Tanzania and calling for the release of opposition leader Tundu Lissu and for new elections. It also urged investigations and requested a review of the EU’s 2025 Annual Action Plan for Tanzania.
The European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Committee on Development (DEVE) adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to withdraw its draft decision on the financing of the 2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP) for Tanzania, citing post-election violence and democratic backsliding. This move has already caused the Commission to suspend the adoption process, pending a final vote by the full European Parliament.
Tanzania has launched the STOSAR II project with EUR 10 million EU funding. The project will strengthen agricultural data systems, improve plant and animal health and market access, enhance food and nutrition security, and promote inclusive value chains for women, youth, and SMEs across the SADC region.
TanzaniaInvest interviewed EU Ambassador Christine Grau to explore the EU–Tanzania partnership, including its shift from aid to mutual strategic interests. The discussion covers European business engagement, competitive advantages over other global players, and key programmes in infrastructure, agriculture, digitalisation, and business environment reform.
Tanzania signed three grant agreements worth EUR 25.68M with Germany to support water infrastructure, climate resilience, and conservation. The projects will enhance access to commercial financing for utilities and protect key ecosystems like Serengeti and Katavi.
The €150 million Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project has expanded and upgraded water and sanitation systems in Mwanza and surrounding towns, with the new Butimba Water Treatment Plant providing 44,000 cubic meters of water per day to 450,000 people. The project was funded by AFD, EIB Global, the EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, and the Tanzanian government.
The EU Air Safety List now includes all Tanzania air carriers, expanding the earlier ban on Air Tanzania due to serious regulatory and operational safety concerns. The list comprises a total of 169 airlines banned from flying in EU skies.
On 23 May 2025, the EU Ambassador to Tanzania delivered a speech in Dar es Salaam during the Europe Day celebrations. She reaffirmed the EU’s clean energy support through grants to cooking and hydropower projects, and its alignment with Tanzania’s Vision 2050.
May 27, 2025
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