The State Visit will crown the 2nd Session of the South Africa-Tanzania Bi-National Commission (BNC).

The Commission comprises four committees: Political and Diplomatic; Defence and Security; Economic Affairs, and Social and Cultural Affairs.

South Africa and Tanzania enjoy deep historical relations arising from Tanzania’s solidarity with South Africa’s liberation struggle.

The ruling party in Tanzania, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), supported the African National Congress (ANC) and the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) in the struggle against apartheid. 

These ties culminated in the establishment of official diplomatic relations when South Africa achieved freedom in 1994 and have since evolved into 

excellent political, economic, and social relations.

The Bi-National Commission is a platform for strengthening cooperation, especially in areas such as trade and investment, infrastructure, transport, energy, water, science and innovation, education, defence, agriculture, environment, health, and culture, among others.

Tanzania is one of South Africa’s foremost trading partners on the continent. 

South Africa wishes to see an increase in trade and investment and broader economic development between the two countries. To this end, total trade between South Africa and Tanzania increased from R6,89 billion in 2021 to R8,71 billion in 2022. 

The strong economic ties are evidenced by the presence of more than 250 South African companies in diverse sectors in Tanzania.

The programme of the Heads of State and Government will be preceded by meetings of senior officials on 13 and 14 March 2023 and the Ministerial Bi-National Commission on the Senior Officials on 15 March 2023. These engagements will take place at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s OR Tambo headquarters in Pretoria.

On the margins of the State Visit and the BNC, a Business Forum will take place under the theme “Forging a New Deal between South Africa and Tanzania Towards High Levels of Trade and Investment”.

This previously appeared on The Presidency. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of The Joburg Post.