Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for stronger trade ties between Russia and Tanzania as he hosted Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Moscow.
The two leaders reaffirmed the longstanding relationship between their countries and discussed opportunities to expand economic cooperation.
Speaking before a closed-door meeting with President Samia and her delegation on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, President Putin noted that trade between the two countries had grown significantly in recent years and emphasized the need to further increase bilateral trade.
“We have opportunities for cooperation in energy, geological exploration, transport, logistics, healthcare and education services,” Putin said.
“Last year, trade turnover grew by around 20–25 percent, which is a very good indicator. Without any doubt, we need to further enhance our trade turnover.”
Trade between Tanzania and Russia was valued at approximately USD 321.1 million in 2024/25, although Tanzania continues to record a significant trade deficit. During that period, Tanzania exported goods worth about USD 5.78 million to Russia while importing substantially more from the Russian market.
Wheat remains the principal commodity traded between the two countries. Tanzania’s annual demand for wheat is estimated at about one million tonnes, while domestic production stands at roughly 100,000 tonnes.
In 2024/25, Tanzania spent approximately USD 332.3 million importing wheat from various countries, with more than 70 percent of those imports originating from Russia, making it the dominant supplier of wheat grain to the Tanzanian market.
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President Putin also commended President Samia for her efforts in strengthening bilateral relations, noting her engagement with Russia even before assuming the presidency.
“We see your choice of Russia for your first visit after taking office as a very positive sign,” Putin said.
On her part, President Samia thanked President Putin for the invitation and noted the significance of the visit, which comes 55 years after the last official state visit to Moscow by a Tanzanian president.
She also praised Russia’s historic role in supporting African liberation movements and acknowledged its continued contribution to Tanzania’s development.
“We have been working with Russia to date, and much of the development we are talking about in my country has benefited from Russia’s contribution. We are very thankful,” President Samia said.
Although Russia is not among the top ten sources of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Tanzania, Russian investments have maintained a presence in key sectors of the economy. Between 2015 and 2024, Russia’s FDI stock in Tanzania stood at approximately USD 395.5 million, with investments concentrated mainly in mining and related industries.
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One of the most significant recent investments is the uranium project in southern Tanzania. In July 2025, Mantra Tanzania Limited launched a pilot uranium processing plant in Namtumbo District, Ruvuma Region. The company is a subsidiary of Uranium One Group, which is owned by Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM). ROSATOM holds an 80 percent stake in the project, while the Tanzanian government owns the remaining 20 percent.
Speaking during the inauguration of the pilot plant, President Samia said the investment is projected to reach USD 1.2 billion and is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for Tanzania.
Earlier in the day, President Samia was accorded a guard of honour and laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier outside the Kremlin in Moscow.
She is also expected to receive an honorary doctorate from the Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, an institution with historic ties to Africa. During the Soviet era, many African students received scholarships to study there as part of the Soviet Union’s solidarity and cooperation programmes with developing nations.
President Samia is later expected to travel to St. Petersburg to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), including the forum’s plenary session.
