South Africa, Tanzania strengthens economic ties

International Relations Minister Dr Naledi Pandor says South Africa and Tanzania will be launching a tourism route that will focus on showcasing the role played by the frontline states during the apartheid years.

Dr Pandor also says South Africa is hoping that the trade between the country and Tanzania will increase after the meeting of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The two leaders will also address a business forum in the afternoon which will focus on agriculture, agro-processing, oil and gas, mining and infrastructure development.

Pandor says the visit is very important.

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The two countries have deep historical relations with the ruling party in Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), having supported the ANC and PAC in the struggle against apartheid.

President Ramaphosa’s first state visit after being elected President in May 2019 was to Tanzania where he was hosted by the country’s late President John Maguifuli.

This will be Hassan’s first visit to South Africa since she took office in 2021.

The visit aims to further increase total trade between South Africa and Tanzania which grew from nearly R7 billion in 2021 to over R8.5 billion in 2022.

Currently, more than 250 South African companies operate in diverse sectors in Tanzania while the East African country exports coffee, cashew nuts, cotton and avocados to South Africa.