Africa-Press – Tanzania. AT the heart of the bustling 49th Sabasaba International Trade Fair in Dar es Salaam, a renewed spirit of collaboration between Tanzania and Russia was on full display.
For the second consecutive year, the trade fair featured a dedicated Russia Day, a strategic initiative by the Russian Embassy aimed at deepening bilateral economic ties through practical engagements, high-level dialogue and private sector partnership.
The day unfolded with an air of optimism and purpose. Government officials, diplomats, investors and business leaders from both nations gathered to explore trade and investment opportunities, signalling the evolution of Russia–Tanzania relations beyond shared history into a future rooted in economic transformation.
Unlike many diplomatic occasions marked solely by speeches, this year’s Russia Day was shaped by targeted Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions, where Russian and Tanzanian companies engaged directly.
At the centre of the day’s proceedings was the Acting Head of the Russian Embassy in Tanzania, Mr Sergey Logachev, who emphasised the value of such events in strengthening economic cooperation.
While his remarks echoed diplomatic courtesy, he revealed a deep belief in the tangible progress being made. The long-standing relationship between the two nations, rooted in friendship, mutual respect and trust, has matured into a steadily advancing economic partnership, supported by efforts from government agencies and private enterprises alike.
Also recognised were the private companies from both countries who brought Russia Day to life through their presence and participation. According to Mr Logachev, the private sector remains the backbone of bilateral cooperation, a sentiment reflected in the structured B2B matchmaking sessions that took place throughout the day.
The growing momentum between Russia and Tanzania is not accidental. Over the past year, the two nations have intensified their engagement through the Russia–Tanzania Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Cooperation, which convened its first session in Dar es Salaam in October 2024 and its second in St Petersburg in May 2025.
These meetings focused on identifying and expanding joint interests across various fields, including trade facilitation, transportation infrastructure, agricultural development, energy investment, tourism and higher education.
Plans are already in motion for the next committee session to be held in Arusha in 2026, reinforcing the continuity and institutional commitment of both countries to deepen their economic ties.
Beyond governmentto-government engagement, sector-specific collaboration has been particularly encouraging. In the pharmaceutical industry, the Russian Embassy and Tanzania’s Ministry of Health facilitated a roundtable involving Russia’s Rapid Bio and Tanzania’s Medical Stores Department.
The dialogue focused on streamlining pharmaceutical trade and identifying areas for joint innovation, marking a concrete step toward strengthening health-sector partnerships.
Healthcare collaboration took an even more human-centred form with the introduction of a free diagnostic day for Melanoma, a global initiative conducted annually in over 30 countries.
For the first time, the campaign was brought to Tanzania this May, organised jointly by the Russian Embassy and the Ministry of Health. The initiative not only raised awareness but also offered preventive healthcare services to Tanzanians, reinforcing the notion that diplomacy can indeed save lives.
In many ways, the concept of national days like Russia Day fits seamlessly within the broader economic diplomacy strategy championed by Tanzanian President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan.
These events serve as windows of opportunity, enabling foreign investors to explore sectors ripe for development with Tanzanian partnerships, while simultaneously providing Tanzanians a view into markets like Russia that may otherwise seem distant.
Mr Logachev shared his hope that the tradition of Russia Day would continue to grow and attract even more participation in the years ahead.
He expressed confidence that such platforms would help align Russian capital with Tanzania’s development priorities, benefitting both economies in tangible ways.
The atmosphere at Sabasaba was a mix of cultural warmth and corporate intent. With every handshake, proposal and exchange of business cards, the foundation of a stronger Russia–Tanzania economic relationship was being built, not just through policy but through people, partnerships and shared purpose.
Trade between Russia and Tanzania has increased by 20 per cent since the beginning of 2025, with Russian exports to the East African country growing by a quarter, TASS reported in May, citing data discussed at a joint MoscowDar es Salaam economic cooperation meeting in St Petersburg.
The surge has been driven largely by outbound shipments of wheat, meslin and fertilisers, while tobacco raw materials, coffee, tea and fruit remain key imports from Tanzania, Russian Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov said.
Russia and Tanzania have maintained diplomatic relations since 1961, with cooperation spanning education, energy, defence and infrastructure.
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