Indonesia

Indonesia and Tanzania established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1964^[2] and since 2011^[2] have anchored their cooperation in the Indonesia-Tanzania Joint Agriculture Cooperation Committee (JACC).

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a Southeast Asian and Oceanian country comprising about 17,000 islands and covering 1,904,569 square kilometres^[1], making it the world's largest archipelagic state and the 14th-largest country by area^[1].

Its engagement with Tanzania is concentrated in agriculture, with training programmes for Tanzanian farmers^[2] and structured cooperation through joint committees, complemented by expanding diplomatic representation on both sides.

Indonesia at a Glance

Indonesia lies between the Indian and Pacific oceans, spanning islands including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guinea^[1].

It shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Malaysia, and maritime borders with seven other countries, including Australia, Singapore, and the Philippines^[1].

The archipelago has been a crossroads of international trade linking East and South Asia since the early second millennium, absorbing Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic influences over the centuries^[1].

Indonesia also holds one of the world's highest levels of biodiversity, supported by vast areas of wilderness across its islands^[1].

Diplomatic Relations With Tanzania

Indonesia and Tanzania formally established diplomatic relations on 25 January 1964^[2].

Indonesia maintains an embassy in Dar es Salaam^[2], providing a direct diplomatic presence for cooperation in trade, agriculture, and cultural exchange.

Tanzania previously operated through a non-resident ambassador based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and since 2023 has opened its own embassy in Jakarta^[2], reinforcing the bilateral channel.

Both countries participate in multilateral organisations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Group of 77, and the Non-Aligned Movement^[2].

Historical Milestones in Bilateral Ties

The bilateral relationship has roots in the Asia-Africa solidarity movement, symbolised by the Bandung Conference.

In April 2005, Vice-President of Tanzania Dr. Ali Mohammed Shein visited Indonesia to commemorate 50 years of the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung^[2].

Indonesian Minister for Agriculture Anton Apriantono visited Tanzania in April 2007, a visit reciprocated in September 2007 by his Tanzanian counterpart^[2].

These exchanges laid the groundwork for the structured agricultural cooperation that followed.

Agricultural Cooperation as the Core Pillar

The bilateral agenda is anchored in agriculture, with Indonesia providing training for Tanzanian farmers^[2].

In 2011, both countries established the Indonesia-Tanzania Joint Agriculture Cooperation Committee (JACC) as a vehicle to improve cooperation in the sector^[2].

The JACC framework covers capacity building through training, joint research, and the expansion of market access for agricultural products^[2].

This cooperation aligns Indonesia's tropical agricultural expertise with Tanzania's ambitions to modernise farming and diversify exports.

Policy Framework and Multilateral Alignment

The JACC serves as the principal bilateral instrument guiding cooperation between the two governments^[2].

Both nations coordinate positions within the WTO, the Group of 77, and the Non-Aligned Movement^[2], offering a broader platform for economic and political alignment.

The upgrade of Tanzania's diplomatic representation in Jakarta since 2023^[2] provides a stronger institutional basis for negotiating further agreements.

Last Update: July 2026

References

1. https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/3-country-and-mission.pdf
2. World Bank and Education in Indonesia
3. https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf
4. International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
5. Aspiring Indonesia: Expanding the Middle Class
6. Indonesia | United Nations