Africa-Press – Mozambique. TANZANIA and Mozambique yesterday reaffirmed their historic cooperation by signing several key Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen ties in education, culture, pharmaceuticals and the establishment of a joint onestop customs centre.
The initiatives aim to deepen both political and economic collaboration between the two nations. President Samia Suluhu Hassan and visiting Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo witnessed the MoUs signing ceremony at the State House in Dar es Salaam, where both leaders reiterated their commitment to elevating bilateral relations.
Among the signed agreements were MoUs on prisoner exchange, media cooperation between Rádio Moçambique and the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) and a student exchange programme for higher education institutions.
The pharmaceutical cooperation involves Mozambique’s National Medicine Regulatory Authority and Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA).
Speaking at a joint press conference, President Samia said the agreements aim to strengthen the political and economic partnership between the two countries. She noted that, despite longstanding political ties dating back to the liberation movements in 1960s, the economic potential of both nations remains underutilised.
“We agreed to continue improving the business and investment environment, including enabling small and medium enterprises to operate more smoothly through a simplified trade regime,” she said.
Dr Samia said that President Chapo’s state visit and the signed MoUs will create a more favourable business climate. In particular, she cited the planned Joint One-Stop Customs Centre at the Mtambaswala border, which will ease trade and promote economic integration by streamlining crossborder transactions.
The visit also aims to enhance regional trade through the Southern and Central corridors. Tanzania plans to extend its electric Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam to Mtwara and Ruvuma to facilitate trade with neighbouring countries, including Mozambique. Yesterday, President Chapo visited the ongoing SGR project to observe its progress and gain insights.
The two countries also agreed to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as the gas economy, agriculture and the blue economy, with a focus on research and knowledge exchange.
To ensure the MoUs are fully implemented, President Samia announced the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission that will monitor progress and address implementation challenges.
Reflecting on the historic ties between the two nations, Dr Samia paid tribute to the founding fathers Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Samora Machel and Eduardo Mondlane who spearheaded Mozambique’s liberation struggle and helped establish the FRELIMO party in Dar es Salaam in 1962.
Mozambique gained independence on June 25, 1975, under FRELIMO’s leadership. She also recalled the formation of the Permanent Cooperation Committee in 1977, which has convened 15 sessions to date to discuss key issues of mutual interest.
President Samia revealed that she has been invited by President Chapo to attend Mozambique’s 50th Independence Anniversary in June a gesture that recognises Tanzania’s historic role in supporting Mozambique’s liberation.
She praised President Chapo for choosing Tanzania as his first official visit since being sworn in on January 15th, this year, describing the gesture as a reaffirmation of the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.
President Chapo previously visited Tanzania in June last year after being nominated as FRELIMO’s presidential candidate.
President Samia also commended his performance during his first 100 days in office, which she said contributed to economic development, national unity and peace in Mozambique.
President Samia also thanked President Chapo for endorsing Tanzanian Professor Mohamed Janabi as Regional Director for Africa at the World Health Organisation.
On his part, President Chapo said that his visit aimed to reinforce the bonds of brotherhood, friendship and cooperation between the two nations. He said bilateral talks with President Samia focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly economic and trade cooperation.
“Our political relationship is not only excellent but also unique. Our cooperation in defence and security is strong,” he said.
He added that his delegation included business leaders from Mozambique, who held discussions with their Tanzanian counterparts to explore opportunities in sectors such as the blue economy and air transport.
The two nations are also considering closer ties between Air Tanzania and Mozambique Airlines to improve connectivity between major cities.
Today, President Chapo is expected to visit Zanzibar for discussions on tourism and the blue economy. He said that both coastal nations can benefit from sharing knowledge and experiences in these sectors.
Further cooperation will focus on agriculture, mining and energy—areas in which both countries are richly endowed with.
President Chapo underscored the importance of cross-border collaboration for national development, regional integration and improved livelihoods.
He also stressed the need to strengthen relations among border regions— Tanzania’s Ruvuma and Mtwara and Mozambique’s Nyasa and Cabo Delgado— with his delegation including governors from these areas to support cross-border initiatives.
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