Tanzania and Russia Announce New Agriculture and Nuclear Research Agreements After Moscow Talks

Tanzania’s foreign minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo met Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 9 February 2026, delivering a letter from President Samia Suluhu Hassan and underscoring Dar es Salaam’s intention to broaden cooperation across key sectors. The two sides agreed to pursue enhanced collaboration in agricultural technology transfer and nuclear-related research, reflecting a shared interest in scientific and economic partnership.

Officials described the discussions as part of deepening strategic relations between the countries, which have expanded cooperation in trade, energy and diplomatic engagement in recent years. Russia’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s development agenda is seen as a move to diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western channels.

Part of the emerging collaboration builds on existing ties in nuclear and energy sectors. Earlier work includes a pilot uranium processing facility at the Mkuju River project in southern Tanzania, launched in July 2025 by a Rosatom subsidiary, aimed at testing processing technologies to underpin future development.

The agriculture component of the agreements is expected to focus on technology exchange and capacity building to support Tanzania’s extensive farming sector, potentially tapping into broader Russian expertise in food production and export markets. Analysts say this aligns with Russia’s growing interest in African agricultural cooperation and export partnerships.

Observers note that the diplomatic engagement likewise reinforces Tanzania’s foreign policy aim of diversifying international partnerships for infrastructure development, scientific research and economic growth, with both sides highlighting mutual benefit and long-term cooperation.