Algiers – On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the “Tanzania Forum on Trade, Investment, and Tourism” was held in Algiers, aimed at enhancing economic and trade relations between Tanzania and Algeria while promoting African exchange, leveraging the significant potential of both countries across various sectors.
The forum was organized by the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in Algeria, attended by Ambassador Aman Salum Njalikai, representatives from the Algerian Ministries of Energy and Mines, Renewable Energies, Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-Enterprises, as well as representatives of institutions and organizations from both countries involved in investment, alongside several Algerian business leaders.
The forum served as a strategic platform to strengthen economic ties between Tanzania and Algeria, promote cooperation among African nations, and encourage investment in line with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), according to explanations provided at the event.
Discussions focused on priority sectors for cooperation, including the pharmaceutical industry, food industries, tourism, energy, mining, and the blue economy. In this context, Fassih Rabah, Director of Economic Exchange Promotion and Support at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, affirmed the ministry’s support for efforts to bolster economic relations between Algeria and Tanzania. He noted that the forum “comes at a particularly opportune time, especially with Algeria hosting the 56th International Fair and the 4th African Intra-Trade Fair” in September.
Rabah expressed regret that the volume of trade between the two countries remains low despite their potential, calling for the exploitation of available opportunities to strengthen partnership and mutual investment. He also urged Algerian economic operators to actively participate in the international fair to be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at the end of June, as an opportunity to showcase Algerian products.
Regarding the legal framework for cooperation, Rabah highlighted existing energy cooperation protocols and stressed the need to “expand and strengthen the legal framework, particularly agreements on investment protection and promotion, and double taxation avoidance.” He added, “We will work to expedite the signing of these agreements.”
Rabah also outlined Algeria’s investment efforts, particularly the legislative framework offering incentives and an attractive environment for investors, expressing hope that Tanzanian operators would leverage these advantages to invest in Algeria. He emphasized numerous opportunities for Algerian companies to invest in Tanzania, enhance bilateral partnerships, and jointly access African markets, especially given both countries’ membership in the AfCFTA. He underscored the need to intensify efforts to activate the Algerian-Tanzanian Business Council.
Mohamed Sadji, a representative from the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Micro-Enterprises, presented the sector’s progress and various incentives to encourage startup creation, affirming the ministry’s openness to international cooperation in this field.
Amine Boutalbi, President of the Arab-African Center for Investment and Development, discussed cooperation opportunities, particularly in agriculture, energy, and the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the importance of the Tanzanian market for exporting Algerian goods.
Tanzanian Ambassador: Algeria, a Leader in Promoting African Economic Cooperation
In his address, the Tanzanian Ambassador emphasized the “strong historical and political ties” between the two nations, stressing the importance of enhancing economic and trade relations and working together within the African exchange framework. He noted that Algeria is “a leader in promoting African economic cooperation,” adding that Tanzania, as a gateway to East Africa, offers numerous investment opportunities and could serve as an entry point for Algerian business leaders to access other African markets.
He highlighted Tanzania’s potential, particularly in maritime shipping through its ports, which serve as a transit point for eight African countries, as well as opportunities in agriculture and water resources. These assets, he said, present opportunities for Algerian investors to explore the Tanzanian market and establish win-win investment projects. He specifically addressed investment opportunities in Tanzania’s pharmaceutical industry, given Algeria’s advancements in this sector, alongside cooperation and partnership in the hydrocarbons sector.