Tanzania: Reaffirms US Visa-On-Arrival Policy, Welcomes Investors

• Tanzania has committed to strengthening ties with the United States, including maintaining visa-on-arrival access for US nationals.
• The Tanzanian government pledged to assist US investors with regulatory, policy, and procedural matters, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ready to resolve challenges.
• Bilateral trade between Tanzania and the US more than doubled from $380.2 million in 2021 to $778.1 million in 2024, a 104.7 percent increase.
• Despite overall growth, US goods exports to Tanzania are projected to fall by 66.6 percent in 2025, from $565.8 million in 2024 to $189.1 million.

The Tanzanian government is prepared to offer comprehensive support to businesspeople and investors regarding regulatory frameworks, policy guidelines, and procedural requirements.

Tanzania has publicly committed to strengthening its relationship with the United States, signaling a concerted effort to foster a more welcoming environment for American citizens, entrepreneurs, and investors. A key aspect of this commitment involves maintaining the existing Tanzania US visa-on-arrival policy for US nationals. This pledge was articulated by Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, during the annual Friends of Tanzania gathering held in New York. He emphasized that enhancing the investment climate forms an integral part of broader initiatives to deepen bilateral relations between the two nations.

Ambassador Kombo explicitly stated that the Tanzanian government is prepared to offer comprehensive support to businesspeople and investors regarding regulatory frameworks, policy guidelines, and procedural requirements. This proactive stance aims to streamline operations for foreign entities. Furthermore, he assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands ready to intervene and resolve any challenges that investors might encounter, underscoring a dedicated approach to facilitating foreign investment. This commitment to direct investor assistance highlights a strategic focus on making Tanzania an attractive destination for US capital.

The commitment to improving the Tanzania US investment climate is part of a long-standing diplomatic relationship between Tanzania and the United States, which has spanned several decades. This enduring partnership encompasses various sectors, including trade, investment, public health, education, and development initiatives. Both countries continue to engage through governmental bodies, diplomatic missions, and commercial platforms, all geared towards expanding economic cooperation and strengthening people-to-people connections. This sustained engagement forms the bedrock of Tanzania's foreign investment policy.

The Friends of Tanzania event itself served as a platform to celebrate this historical friendship and cooperation, while also providing an opportunity to reinforce mutually beneficial relations. Ms. Elsie Kanza, Tanzania's Ambassador to the United States, highlighted the event's significance in this regard. Organized by the Embassy of Tanzania in the United States, the gathering attracted a high-level delegation of senior government officials and other distinguished guests. Among the notable attendees were Professor Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination, and Persons with Disabilities; Dr. Tausi Kida, Permanent Secretary in the President's Office for Planning and Investment; Ambassador John Ulanga, Director of Economic Diplomacy in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation; and Dr. Zeyana Abdallah Hamid, Vice-Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and HIV/AIDS. Their presence underscored the national importance placed on these bilateral discussions.

Economic engagement between Tanzania and the United States has seen substantial growth in recent years, with the bilateral trade volume more than doubling between 2021 and 2024. The total trade value surged to $778.1 million (approximately 2.01 trillion Tanzanian shillings) in 2024, a significant increase from $380.2 million (approximately 987 billion Tanzanian shillings) recorded in 2021. This represents an impressive 104.7 percent expansion in trade over the three-year period, reflecting deepening commercial ties. Initiatives such as the establishment of the Tanzania American Chamber of Commerce (TACC) in 2023 have supported this upward trend.

Tanzania's primary exports to the US market include agricultural commodities, various minerals, and textiles. Conversely, major imports from the United States consist of wheat, agricultural and transport machinery, chemicals, used clothing, and other industrial equipment. However, more recent data indicates a notable shift in the direction of goods trade. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), US goods exports to Tanzania experienced a sharp decline of 66.6 percent in 2025, falling to $189.1 million (approximately 502 billion Tanzanian shillings) from $565.8 million (approximately 1.5 trillion Tanzanian shillings) in 2024. This recent downturn in US exports suggests evolving dynamics within the bilateral trade relationship that warrant close observation.

Lawyers advising US businesses considering investment in Tanzania should note the government's explicit commitment to maintaining visa-on-arrival access and offering regulatory support, potentially simplifying market entry and compliance for their clients.

Source: Original reporting via Daily News Tanzania