By Business Insider Reporter
Tanzania is poised to strengthen its global partnerships as Dr. Constantinos Kombos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, arrives today July 8, 2025, for a three-day official visit on behalf of the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President, Kaja Kallas.
The visit, which runs from July 8 to 10, is a significant diplomatic milestone for Tanzania, highlighting the East African nation’s rising profile as a stable, strategic partner for the EU in a region of increasing geopolitical importance.
Dr. Kombos’ trip comes at a time when Tanzania and the EU are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations – a partnership that continues to evolve beyond aid into mutual investment, regional security cooperation, and shared global priorities.
His meetings in Dar es Salaam with Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, civil society representatives, and business leaders are expected to focus on upcoming 2025 general elections, economic cooperation under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, and pressing regional security matters in the Great Lakes region.
What this means for Tanzania
For Tanzania, the visit signals not just political goodwill but tangible opportunities for deeper economic integration with Europe.
Under the EU’s €300 billion Global Gateway initiative, Tanzania stands to benefit from increased investment in key sectors such as digital transformation, sustainable infrastructure, and critical raw materials.
These sectors are vital to the country’s industrialisation agenda, job creation efforts, and aspirations to become a regional logistics and innovation hub.
Dr. Kombos emphasized the strategic weight of the visit, calling Tanzania “a trusted and stable partner in a strategically important region.” He underscored the EU’s commitment to scaling up engagement across various fronts – from governance and development cooperation to trade and climate resilience.
“Together, we can unlock new opportunities that benefit both Tanzanian citizens and European partners,” he noted, adding that the EU values Tanzania’s growing leadership in regional diplomacy and sustainable development.
Strengthening political and economic dialogue
The trip is also a continuation of the high-level dialogue initiated in April 2025, when Minister Kombo visited Brussels and held discussions with key EU officials, including Kaja Kallas and European Investment Bank Vice President Thomas Östros. Those talks laid the groundwork for expanded EU investment in Tanzania’s priority sectors, especially in energy transition, SME financing, and green mobility.
EU Ambassador to Tanzania and the East African Community, Christine Grau, said the visit reaffirms the EU’s long-term vision for a “mature and strategic partnership” with Tanzania based on mutual interests and shared values. “Following Minister Kombo’s visit to Brussels earlier this year, this return visit reflects the depth and continuity of our engagement with Tanzania,” Ambassador Grau said.
