Gilead Teri, Director General of Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority: Tanzania aims to become regional hub for Russian investors

Tanzania is seeking to strengthen its position as a gateway for Russian businesses to East and Southern Africa by expanding investment opportunities through special economic zones and improving the business environment, according to Gilead Teri, Director General of the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority.

Speaking in an exclusive interview at the TV BRICS studio in the Roscongress International Cooperation Area at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Teri said economic relations between Tanzania and Russia have strengthened significantly in recent years.

According to the Director General, Russian companies have already established a presence in several sectors of the Tanzanian economy, including tourism, logistics, manufacturing and mining.

“Russian businesses have invested in tourism, in logistics, in manufacturing, and also in mining in Tanzania. And we are very proud of the contribution of Russian enterprises in Tanzania. But we have also had growth in investment and trade between our two countries. Before, in 2021, it was around US$100 million a year. Now trade between Russia and Tanzania is around US$450 to US$500 million every year,” he said.

He expressed confidence that special economic zones will help attract additional Russian investment and encourage companies to establish manufacturing facilities in Tanzania.

“We expect Tanzania to be a hub for Russian enterprises,” Teri said, explaining that businesses operating in the country can access not only the domestic market but also wider markets across East and Southern Africa.

The expert also highlighted reforms aimed at improving the investment climate. He said Tanzania has simplified procedures for establishing companies and accelerated approval processes for investors. Investors can also benefit from fast-track construction permits, available industrial land and opportunities in agriculture, logistics and port development projects.

Teri added that tourism remains another promising area of cooperation. Tanzania’s Zanzibar archipelago continues to attract growing numbers of Russian visitors, with approximately 100,000 Russian tourists travelling to the destination annually.

He revealed that direct flights connecting Moscow with Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam are expected to be launched before the end of the year, which could further boost tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.

According to Teri, the combination of investment incentives, strategic geographic location and expanding transport connectivity positions Tanzania as an increasingly attractive destination for Russian businesses looking to expand their presence in Africa.