Tanzanian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Monday, delivering a letter from President Samia Suluhu Hassan to President Vladimir Putin and signaling Dar es Salaam’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation. Kombo emphasized the strategic importance of relations with Russia, highlighting President Hassan’s recent address to diplomats and international organizations based in Tanzania. He also thanked Moscow for its efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Russia and Tanzania have steadily expanded cooperation in defense, trade, and energy, with Dar es Salaam becoming a key partner in Moscow’s growing engagement across Africa. In June 2024, both nations began efforts to conduct bilateral trade in their national currencies, aiming to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. Lavrov welcomed the partnership, citing joint work in international forums such as the United Nations and the broader Russia–Africa strategic engagement. He noted that discussions are ongoing regarding the timing and venue of the third Russia–Africa summit, signaling Moscow’s intent to maintain momentum in its African relations. The meeting underscores Tanzania’s rising role in East Africa as a strategic partner for Russia amid expanding diplomatic and economic influence on the continent.
