Dar es Salaam. The Kingdom of Denmark reiterated its commitment to a strong and forward-looking partnership with Tanzania during a Constitution Day reception held on June 5, 2025, at the Danish Ambassador’s residence in the city.
The event marked the 176th anniversary of the Danish Constitutional Act, one of the world’s oldest constitutions, and signalled Denmark’s renewed diplomatic presence and long-term engagement in Tanzania, following a previous decision to close the Embassy in 2021.
Constitution Day, or Grundlovsdag in Danish, commemorates the signing of Denmark’s 1849 Constitutional Act, which transformed the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy. The Act remains the cornerstone of Danish democratic governance, safeguarding fundamental freedoms and universal suffrage.
“Today we mark that Denmark is back in business in Tanzania,” said the Ambassador of Denmark, Jesper Kammersgaard. “We need strong, trusted partnerships, especially in times of uncertainty. Our presence here reflects our commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and shared progress,” he continued, with reference to Denmark’s long-term, trusted and respectful partnership with Tanzania.
The reception was attended by Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, as guest of honour. Also present were ambassadors, members of the private sector, development partners, civil society representatives, and the media.
READ MORE: ‘We Are Staying’: Denmark Announces It Will Retain Embassy in Tanzania
In his address, Ambassador Kammersgaard said the decision to remain active in Tanzania reflects a deliberate shift in how Denmark engages with its African partners.
The Ambassador, who also served in Tanzania 15 years ago, noted the visible signs of progress in Tanzania, including a growing middle class, and stronger agriculture and trade sectors, sectors Denmark has been working with over the past 60 years. In total, Denmark has invested approximately US$5 billion in Tanzania over time.
On his side, Kombo said Denmark is Tanzania’s long-standing and trusted partner, recalling that it was the first country to establish official development cooperation with Tanzania. He also highlighted Danish support through DANIDA, which he said has contributed significantly to the national development priorities across key sectors.
The Danish-Tanzanian partnership, now in its seventh decade, is adding new perspectives to the partnership that go beyond traditional development cooperation.
Denmark’s new Africa policy, ‘Africa’s Century,’ outlines a shift toward broader economic and political collaboration. Under the new strategy, Denmark is scaling up its diplomatic footprint on the continent, while focusing more on trade, investment, and people-to-people ties.
