Tanzania is stepping up efforts to expand its agricultural export markets in Russia, with Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba directing diplomatic officials to identify new buyers and strengthen access for locally produced goods.
Nchemba issued the directive during a meeting with staff at the Tanzanian Embassy in Moscow on Friday, saying increased agricultural production had created a surplus that required reliable international markets.
He urged diplomatic representatives to look beyond existing trade channels and explore opportunities in other major Russian cities, highlighting the country’s size and potential demand for imported agricultural products.
“We still need markets for our products. We have increased agricultural production and now have surplus, so use this opportunity to establish markets in other cities because Russia is a very large country,” he said.
The Prime Minister said improved market access would help Tanzanian farmers and producers benefit from higher output while creating further opportunities for trade and economic growth.
Tanzanian products seek stronger presence in Russia
As part of his visit, Nchemba toured AZBUKA VKUSA, a Moscow retail outlet selling Tanzanian products, to assess their presence in the Russian market.
He also encouraged embassy officials to explore cooperation in the education sector, an area that featured in discussions during the recent Heads of State Summit.
The Prime Minister further instructed diplomatic staff to follow up on the implementation of resolutions and directives arising from President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s visit to Russia in June 2026.
Russia-Africa cooperation discussions
The trade engagement took place alongside broader efforts to strengthen economic relations between Russia and African countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to developing relations with African nations during the Third Russia-Africa Summit in Moscow, which brought together representatives from 48 African countries, including 22 represented by their heads of state or government.
Putin said Russia supported African countries’ right to determine their own political and economic systems and pursue development according to their national priorities.
He also criticised what he described as the continued exploitation of Africa’s natural resources, saying Russian companies prioritised processing resources in the countries where they operate.
According to Putin, local processing could support employment creation and increase government tax revenues.
The summit provided a platform for discussions on trade, investment and development cooperation, as African countries and Russia explored areas of mutual economic interest.
For Tanzania, the renewed engagement with Moscow presents an opportunity to connect rising agricultural production with additional export destinations, while expanding commercial links beyond its established markets.