Dar es Salaam. Tanzania and Austria have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations, pledging closer cooperation to ensure the successful implementation of Austria’s Africa Strategy for 2026–2029.
This was underscored during high-level talks in Dar es Salaam between Austria’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hannah Liko, and a Tanzanian delegation. Liko is on a three-day official visit to the country. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Finance, focused on strengthening diplomatic and economic collaboration while aligning shared development priorities.
Austria’s Africa Strategy, launched by its federal government, aims to reshape partnerships with African countries by 2027, with a focus on economic development, migration, security, and education.
Speaking on behalf of Tanzania, Deputy Minister for Finance Mshamu Ali Munde said the government is ready to work closely with Austria to implement the strategy for mutual benefit.
“Tanzania, under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, is committed to working closely with Austria to ensure this strategy delivers tangible development outcomes for both nations,” Munde said. “We anticipate expanded cooperation across both public and private sectors.”
Longstanding Partnership
Austria and Tanzania share a longstanding relationship dating back to the early years of Tanganyika’s independence, when Austria established an honorary consulate in Dar es Salaam in early 1960s.
Since then, Austria has supported Tanzania’s national development frameworks, including the Five-Year Development Plan (2021/22–2025/26) and Development Vision 2025.
Austria has also financed several major development projects in Tanzania worth approximately €30 million through concessional loans. These include the rehabilitation of the Karume Institute of Science and Technology in Zanzibar (€7 million), improvements to Zanzibar’s education system (€6 million), procurement of firefighting and rescue equipment (€10 million), and the renovation of Arusha Technical College (€7 million).
Trade Imbalance Persists
Despite growing cooperation, trade between the two countries remains heavily tilted in Austria’s favour.
Tanzania’s imports from Austria rose significantly to $42.9 million in 2024, up from $20.6 million in 2020. In contrast, Tanzanian exports to Austria declined sharply to $259,200, compared with $699,100 in 2020.
Tanzania’s main exports to Austria include cashew nuts, spices, artworks, books, timber products, gemstones, tobacco, oilseeds, and raw animal skins. Key imports from Austria include railway equipment, machinery, paper products, electrical goods, beverages, iron and steel products, and medical equipment.
A statement from the Tanzanian government noted that Austria has emphasized the importance of private sector participation in driving economic growth. Deputy Foreign Minister Liko reiterated her country’s commitment to working with African nations, including Tanzania, to ensure businesses play a central role in job creation and improving livelihoods.
