Containers inside Mombasa Port on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast, a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia. (Kenyan MEAACT/Stuart Price)
Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam conducted a formal visit to Tanzania from June 8 to 10, intending to explore new strategic sectors aiming and advance bilateral relations between Singapore and Dar Es Salaam. President Tharman’s visit, which marks the first official SIngaporean visit to Dar Es Salaam, coincided with the 45th anniversary of bilateral ties, underscoring the symbolic and strategic importance of the move.
In a press release, Singapore emphasised exploring sectors in “the blue and green economies, the digital economy, tourism and port development, food security, youth development, vocational and technical education as well as healthcare and disease prevention.” Both sides pledged to strengthen ties across trade, infrastructure, defence, energy, etc.
The two countries agreed to new initiatives, such as the Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation, which aims to prevent the same income from being taxed twice, therefore fostering trade integration. They also welcomed the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding, particularly on “the establishment of bilateral consultations, collaboration in carbon credits, capacity building in trade facilitation and skills development.”
Beyond high‑level talks, both countries agreed to facilitate negotiations to promote the East African Community (EAC) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore, marking the first time for the EAC to establish an agreement with a country outside Africa.
Both President Tharman and Tanzanian President Suluhu Hassan attended the Tanzania-Singapore Business and Investment Forum with Singapore and Tanzania companies and met with business leaders. Tharman was also scheduled to visit the University of Dar es Salaam, while his itinerary included a visit to Zanzibar to meet President Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi and discuss localised economic partnerships. Additionally, he toured Darajani Souk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rejuvenated through a Singapore-backed project involving agro-commodities trading company Nomanbhoy & Sons.
This partnership reflects common strategic interests, positioning Singapore and Tanzania as key allies linking Southeast Asia and East Africa. Taken together, these exchanges suggest that relations between Singapore and Tanzania are entering a new phase, where economic interdependence is carefully balanced with Singapore’s efforts to assist the country.
Through the Singapore-Africa Partnership Leading to Growth and Sustainability (SAPLINGS) initiative, Singapore positions itself as a partner to assist African countries in sustainable development and governance sectors through capacity building. In return, East African states can supply Singapore with primary agricultural goods, minerals as well as manufactured goods.
Moreover, these new bilateral relations will enable Singaporean firms, such as Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) International, the Singapore Economic Development Board and Portek, to collaborate with East African states in developing economic corridors.
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