Tanzania and DRC pledge to strengthen strategic cooperation

Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Dr. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, met with the outgoing Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Jean Pierre Massala, in Dar es Salaam on September 4, 2026.

During the meeting, Minister Kombo commended Ambassador Massala for his role in strengthening bilateral ties, particularly in trade, investment, and development. Tanzania expressed its commitment to deepening strategic cooperation with the DRC across several sectors, including transport, minerals, oil and gas, and defense and security.

Key priority projects discussed include the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to connect Tanzania and the DRC via Burundi, and the development of a National Fiber Optic Backbone from Kigoma, Tanzania, to Kalemie in the Tanganyika Region of the DRC via Lake Tanganyika. Additionally, both nations agreed to expedite the establishment of a Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to facilitate joint projects and create new economic opportunities.