Tanzania: Diplomatic Relations

(asked on 15th January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the strength of the UK's diplomatic relations with Tanzania.


Answered by
Andrew Stephenson Portrait
Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
This question was answered on 23rd January 2020

The UK has had a positive and close diplomatic relationship with Tanzania over many decades, especially in the areas of trade and investment. We are the largest foreign investor in Tanzania in a range of industries including agriculture, energy and hospitality. Tanzania receives a large amount of British Overseas Development Aid, with £152m spent in 2018-19. UK aid has supported efforts to tackle organised crime; improved education access and quality especially for girls; created jobs and trade by investing in infrastructure and agriculture; and shared the expertise of Britain's democratic values and traditions to strengthen Tanzania's judiciary and parliament.

As a close friend and partner, we are honest about the challenges facing British investors, and the progressive erosion of freedom of speech that infringes civil and political rights. In our engagements with the Government of Tanzania, we raise our concerns and urge it to meet its obligations towards democratic governance and due process. We also raise our concerns regarding the business environment which has led to productive dialogue between the British business community and key authorities. Tanzania is a committed member of the Commonwealth and valued partner on climate change.

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