Africa-Press – Tanzania. Leaders must be endowed with enough flexibility to deal with changes happening around them,…for example a positive government would not draft legislation and laws simply as a mean to an end, but rather to serve its people and ease their lives” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum-ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates.
One of the strongest experiences I ever had as a writer in my opinions, and articles, is to receive feedback from readers, especially on pieces that I have drafted on diplomatic affairs. The stream of articles that go to paper prints are many, most written with candid journalistic skill, by writers whose gifts I envy.
But a few times in my writing experience, I have experienced a thrill of fair compliments, an edge that pushes me to do more than best. The goal is to bridge relations between my country and the evolving tapestry of international affairs, particularly in the era of transactional diplomacy.
Some critics say, paper prints are becoming less interesting to readers, than social media and online forums. But for me, I have received more feedback by readers of the Daily News, especially when my central theme is international affairs, or presidential diplomacy, which most likely the readership out ways social media platforms that I write own.
Now this opinion is about the United Arab Emirates, a state like no other, which emerged on the international stage by the bursting Burj Al Arab, the iconic seven-star hotel in Dubai, and the visionary Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai and the crown prince, and prime Minister whose vision the emirates has become what it has become today.
Dubai is not the only Emirates: There is a false conclusion on many folks, that the UAE, is only Dubai. But Dubai is Dubai, and the Emirates is the Emirates. In my short experience of writing on international affairs and geopolitics, I do not want to lure you into a palpable…..of………
But under all distinguished authorities available by authors and on the internet the Emirates consists of seven the capital Abu Dhabi, and of course Dubai, known for its global business and tourism, Sharjah, Umm Al-Quwain, Ajman, Fujairah and the Ras Al Khaiman.
Today, The United Arab Emirates stands as a living example of transiency, where deliberate compromise between traditional development and visionary transformation has shaped a union of seven emirates into a global force. From the cultural depth of Sharjah to the futuristic skyline of Dubai and the strategic leadership of Abu Dhabi, each emirate reflects a negotiated path where heritage and innovation move forward together, under the leadership and vision of his Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mahktoum, the visionary leader of modern Dubai, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Emirates established a systemic national development strategy, which launched several development initiatives to make what has become the Emirates today.
Cooperation towards creating a Manufacturing Value Chain: The United Arab Emiratis are known for their hospitality and great cultural identity and a willingness to invest. The UAE is not for creating a positive climate for business investment across the world, for Tanzania it is time we must orient our economic diplomacy on creating major industrial parks, by having a private sector positive dialogue with the UAE. For Tanzanians who have visited and craned their necks on top of the Burj Khalifa, the elegantly tapered skyscraper and the tallest building on Earth, they would tell you Dubai is a wonderful modern city, with its Dubai Mall, the Alserkal Avenue and the large Dubai Museum of the future, life is life there they say, however in the greatest sense, I do believe the Emiratis can have the ability and capacity to invest into Tanzania’s manufacturing parks, urbanization and modern infrastructure. It will be a literal pinnacle of the diplomacy of the near future between our two countries, with state-of-the-art shopping temples in Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, and Mwanza. Construct a win- win metro stations, the likes of A-metro which the red line that runs across Sheikh Zayed road, Umm Al Seef, Burj Khalifa and the Dubai Mall.
Tanzania and Emirates sharing Universities of modern skills:
Tanzania needs a conscious effort to reform our modern university orientation and modern town planners on how universities are built, and what kind of innovative skills modern generation of Tanzania needs. All practical visions and solutions in any society are from the best minds, talents and creative individuals, where modern universities which nurture research and outcomes to drive development forward. Tanzania needs to change the way we view things, to have a sense of optimism on how to deal with our challenges. Among them diversifying development models of our modern universities.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the Emirates can be our partners, they have weathered the recent storms of global challenges not only because of their money, but because of their universities. Their universities have done remarkably well in nurturing new skills, that make the Emiratis continue to sail into visionary leadership, build a future with confidence and influence. This capacity keeps them in a high-level competitive ante with the rest of the world, be it through new industrial parks, high level block burster attractions but adopting to education that meets the modern times. Khalifa university, American University Dubai, Abu Dhabi University, should be welcomed to open campuses in mainland Tanzania and have a professional exchange between students and high-level scholars in order to meet the challenges of the modern age.
In my humble opinion, if the UAE were to glance in East Africa with intention, it would find in Tanzania not just a partner, but a kindred nation rising with resilience and quiet power. Our ports are not just gateways to a country, but doors to a region, unlocked by opportunity and positioned for a new era of high-level cooperation.
Ports and Logistics Corridors: A New Gateway for the Gulf
The Port of Dar es Salaam, already the subject of promising investment by DP World, is the front door to over six land-linked countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A further injection of UAE expertise and capital could turn it into the Rotterdam of East Africa—a shipping, logistics, and digital trade hub supported by smart port technologies, automated container terminals, and bonded logistics parks.
But this should be only the beginning. Bagamoyo Port, long stalled but full of potential, could become a joint mega-project—a UAE-Tanzania flagship initiative that redefines African coastal infrastructure. Imagine a UAE-financed logistics corridor from Bagamoyo to the Central Railway Line, interlinking dry ports in Dodoma and Isaka, with digitally connected customs platforms using Emirati fintech solutions.
Institutions That Build Highways, Not Just Roads:
Beyond ports, the UAE, through giants like Arabtec, Al Naboodah Group, and Mubadala Infrastructure Partners, has the muscle to invest in transformational highway projects in Tanzania. These aren’t just blacktop lanes; they’re lifelines of commerce, education, and interconnection.
A UAE-led Public-Private Partnership (PPP) could finance and construct the Tanzania-Kigali Expressway, or fund a high-speed railway from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, and Dar es Salam to Songea. As they saying goes on international affairs, after the Asalaam Alyekhum Sheikh, know how to negotiate, billions are available for investment
The UAE’s Masdar City vision can be adapted into smart, sustainable town planning initiatives in Tanzania’s emerging urban zones like Dodoma, Kigamboni, and Mbeya, blending climate sensitivity with digital utility.
Substantive Industry Ties: From Desert Innovation to African Prosperity:
The UAE excels in aluminium, aviation, defense technologies, clean energy, petrochemicals, and digital transformation. Tanzania can be the site of satellite production units and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) where Emirati know-how meets Tanzanian raw materials and manpower.
Aviation: With Air Tanzania expanding, a partnership with Emirates Airlines, including on training pilots, air hostesses, a partnership together could turn Dar es Salaam and Dodoma into a sub-regional aviation hub linking the rest of Africa with Dubai.
A Future That Flies on Economic Diplomacy:
Conclusively Diplomacy in the 21st century is more than treaties—it’s investment with empathy, partnership with purpose. When Emirati businessmen arrive in Tanzania, they will not find just a market, but a mirror, a reflection of their own journey from desert sands to global skylines.
And when Tanzania sends its dreamers to Dubai, they must come not only with proposals and portfolios, but with vision, discipline, and the confidence to co-create a legacy for a Tanzanian economic diplomacy as revitalized by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in May 19th 2025.
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