Dar es salaam: The President of Kenya, Dr. William Samoei Ruto visited Tanzania on 4th May 2026, where he held bilateral talks with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan focused on strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.
The visit culminated in a renewed commitment to expand trade and investment, with both leaders setting targets of KSh130 billion in additional trade and KSh65 billion in new investments.
A key outcome of the discussions is the planned removal of non-tariff barriers that have constrained cross-border trade, including border delays, regulatory inconsistencies, and limited market access. Both governments set a June 30, 2026 deadline to ensure tangible progress.
To support implementation, the Joint Business Council will be strengthened, while the business forum will be institutionalized as an annual platform for monitoring progress and aligning public and private sector priorities.
Also, President Ruto addressed the Tanzania National Assembly on Tuesday, May 05 2026, where he hailed a new era of bilateral cooperation, projecting that trade between the two East African states will surpass the $1 billion mark within the current year.
President Ruto specifically highlighted the scale of cross-border capital flows as a testament to growing investor confidence:
“Investment cooperation stands as a central pillar of our bilateral relations. Kenyan enterprises have invested more than $1.7 billion in Tanzania, creating jobs, advancing skills transfer, and strengthening local capacity across key sectors, including manufacturing, energy, logistics, financial services, and agriculture.”
The renewed partnership also reinforces commitments under the East African Community, with both countries emphasizing deeper integration to enhance regional trade, attract investment, and improve competitiveness.
The agreements reached during the visit signal a stronger shift toward economic diplomacy, with Kenya and Tanzania positioning themselves as key drivers of regional growth.
