MUSCAT: The bilateral relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the United Republic of Tanzania are one of the oldest and most enduring partnerships between the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa and are all set to explore newer heights in various areas.
This is buoyed by Tanzania’s strategic location, together with Oman’s position as a gateway to the Gulf, which can provide an opportunity to build one of the strongest economic partnerships between East Africa and the Middle East.
The strong bonds built on centuries of maritime trade, shared history, cultural exchange and family ties that continue to unite the peoples today remain a living testament to this shared heritage, and Oman remains the only country outside Africa with a vibrant Swahili-speaking community, she said.
Speaking to the Observer on the celebrations to commemorate the World Kiswahili Language Day, attended by representatives of both government and private establishments at the Diplomatic Club on Tuesday, Maulida Bwanakheri, Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the Sultanate of Oman, said that her focus as Ambassador is to ensure that the bilateral relationship is equally defined by the future and that Kiswahili, with its rich Arabic influence, can facilitate the people-to-people relations.
”My vision to enhance the bilateral relations is guided by the 3Rs—Review, Revive and Revitalise our mutual cooperation. We are reviewing existing frameworks to ensure they remain relevant, reviving areas of cooperation that have not reached their full potential, and revitalising our partnership through practical initiatives that create jobs, attract investment and expand opportunities for our people,” Maulida said.
She opined that the mutual cooperation is expanding beyond historical and cultural ties into strategic sectors such as trade and investment, logistics, tourism, renewable energy, digital transformation, agriculture, labour mobility and youth development.
“We are also working towards concluding the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), strengthening the Joint Permanent Commission and establishing targeted business matchmaking platforms that directly connect Tanzanian and Omani investors.”
People-to-people relations are the heart of Tanzania-Oman relations. Long before formal diplomacy, the two peoples were connected through commerce, language, culture and family ties across the Indian Ocean. Today, nearly 23,000 Tanzanians live and work in Oman, while many Omani families proudly trace their ancestry to Tanzania, particularly Zanzibar.
“These communities are not simply a diaspora, they are living bridges between our two countries. One of my key priorities is ensuring that these relationships continue to flourish in a modern context. We are working closely with the Omani authorities to conclude a structured Labour and Employment Agreement that will enhance recruitment processes, strengthen workers’ protection and promote employment opportunities for Tanzanians in Oman,” Maulida Bwanakheri, who oversees relations and facilitates trade and investment ties between Zanzibar, Tanzania, and Oman, said.
She further said that efforts are on to establishing a formal Tanzania Diaspora Association in Oman, introducing stronger support mechanisms for Tanzanians living here, promoting diaspora investment and financial inclusion, and creating a Tanzania–Oman Friendship Platform to deepen cultural, educational and economic engagement.
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