President Samia chooses Russia for first state visit, meets Putin at Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Kremlin, where the two leaders held talks aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation and expanding economic ties between their countries.

According to reports by Anadolu Agency, Putin highlighted the steady growth in trade relations, revealing that trade between Russia and Tanzania increased by between 20 and 25 per cent last year.

He described the growth as a positive indicator of the untapped potential in the relationship and called for broader cooperation in key sectors, including energy, geological exploration, transport and logistics, healthcare, and education.

Putin also welcomed President Hassan's decision to make Russia the destination of her first state visit since assuming office, describing the move as a sign of the strong and growing relationship between the two nations.

“It is gratifying to note that after your inauguration, you chose Russia as the first foreign country for a state visit. We see this as a very good sign,” Putin said.

President Hassan said her visit was aimed at deepening cooperation between Tanzania and Russia while promoting sustainable development and mutual economic growth.

She noted the historical significance of the trip, pointing out that it marked the first state visit by a Tanzanian leader to Russia in more than 50 years.

“The last visit was in 1969 when the founding father of our country paid a state visit,” she said.

Hassan added that the visit carries both personal and national importance as Tanzania seeks to strengthen long-standing diplomatic relations with Russia.

The leaders expressed their commitment to turning diplomatic goodwill into practical projects, with a focus on infrastructure development, resource exploration, technology transfer, and human capital development.

According to Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak, the discussions also touched on opportunities for increased investment, scientific collaboration, and technical partnerships that could benefit both countries.

Observers say the meeting signals a renewed effort by Russia and Tanzania to diversify and strengthen their cooperation, following recent gains in trade and economic engagement.

The talks are expected to pave the way for future agreements in several strategic sectors, potentially opening a new chapter in Russia-Tanzania relations.