Keypoints:
- Samia Suluhu Hassan begins a three-day state visit to Russia
• Tanzania and Russia seek to expand trade, tourism and mining cooperation
• Visit comes amid continuing Western scrutiny over Tanzania’s 2025 election
TANZANIAN President Samia Suluhu Hassan met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday as the two countries sought to deepen trade and mining cooperation during the first state visit by a Tanzanian leader to Russia in more than five decades.
The visit comes as Tanzania seeks to expand economic partnerships beyond its traditional Western allies while navigating continued international scrutiny over last year’s disputed election. Discussions are expected to focus on trade, mining, tourism and investment cooperation as African governments increasingly diversify their international partnerships.
The three-day trip marks the first visit to Russia by a Tanzanian president since the country’s founding leader, Julius Nyerere, travelled to Moscow in 1969.
Visit comes amid heightened international attention
The visit takes place against the backdrop of increased international scrutiny of Tanzania following the country’s 2025 general election.
Western governments and human rights organisations have raised concerns about violence and alleged human rights violations linked to the election period. The United States has said it is reviewing aspects of its relationship with Tanzania following the unrest and recently imposed sanctions on a senior Tanzanian police officer over allegations relating to the torture of two activists.
Tanzania’s government has rejected many external criticisms and maintains that its security agencies acted within the law to preserve public order.
The election itself remains the subject of legal and political challenges. Earlier this year, the East African Court of Justice was petitioned to annul the disputed presidential election, while civil society organisations have continued to press for greater transparency and accountability.
An official government report into election-related violence said 518 people were killed during the unrest but did not assign responsibility for the deaths. The findings attracted widespread attention after Tanzanian authorities confirmed hundreds of deaths linked to post-election unrest, intensifying calls for an independent investigation.
Russia welcomes closer ties
During a televised meeting at the Kremlin, Hassan described the trip as ‘historic’ and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation between the two countries.
Putin welcomed the Tanzanian leader and emphasised the importance of increasing bilateral trade and investment.
According to official figures, annual trade between Russia and Tanzania currently stands at just over $307m. Trade remains modest compared with Tanzania’s commercial ties with China, the European Union and regional African partners, suggesting significant room for growth if both governments succeed in expanding economic cooperation.
Nevertheless, both countries have signalled ambitions to broaden cooperation across several sectors, including mining, tourism, agriculture and infrastructure development.
Business and mining in focus
Hassan arrived in Moscow accompanied by a delegation of business leaders and government officials seeking new commercial partnerships.
A major area of potential cooperation remains the long-discussed uranium mining project in southern Tanzania, which has been under consideration for more than a decade. The project is viewed as one of the most significant potential Russian investments in Tanzania and could become a cornerstone of future economic cooperation if development moves forward.
Earlier this year, the two countries established a Russia-Tanzania Business Council aimed at encouraging investment and facilitating trade links between companies in both markets.
Last month, Air Tanzania announced plans to launch direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Moscow before the end of the year, a move expected to support tourism and business travel.
Officials from both countries say improved air connectivity could help unlock new economic opportunities and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Tanzania’s multi-aligned foreign policy
Tanzania has increasingly pursued a multi-aligned foreign policy, seeking investment and strategic partnerships from a broad range of countries including China, India, Gulf states, Türkiye and Russia as it attempts to accelerate industrialisation, energy development and infrastructure expansion.
Analysts say this approach reflects a wider trend across Africa, where governments are seeking to diversify international partnerships rather than relying exclusively on traditional Western allies. For Tanzania, closer engagement with Russia provides another avenue for attracting investment, expanding export markets and advancing large-scale resource projects.
Moscow expands African engagement
The meeting forms part of Russia’s broader effort to deepen relationships across Africa as Moscow seeks to expand its political and economic footprint on the continent.
Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Russia has intensified diplomatic engagement with African governments, promoting partnerships in energy, mining, security and trade.
Meanwhile, domestic political tensions remain a significant factor shaping Tanzania’s international relationships. Opposition groups and activists continue to challenge the conduct of the election, while civil society organisations have renewed calls for fresh elections and electoral reforms as part of broader efforts to restore confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Looking ahead
While no major agreements were immediately announced following Wednesday’s meeting, officials indicated that discussions would continue throughout Hassan’s visit.
The talks are expected to focus on expanding trade, increasing tourism flows and advancing cooperation in strategic sectors, including mining and energy.
The visit underscores Tanzania’s efforts to broaden its international partnerships while navigating growing geopolitical competition for influence across Africa.
