Africa-Singapore foreign relations: President Tharman Makes First State Visit to Tanzania for 45th Anniversary

President Tharman will make his first state visit to Tanzania from June 8-10, marking 45 years of Singapore foreign relations with the East African nation.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will make his first state visit to Tanzania from June 8 to 10, 2026, at the invitation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. The visit marks 45 years of Singapore foreign relations between the two nations and is the first-ever state visit by a Singaporean head of state to the East African country.

The Singapore foreign relations milestone will see President Tharman participate in an official welcome ceremony and state banquet in Dar es Salaam. Both presidents will witness the signing and exchange of memoranda of understanding and hold a joint press conference.

President Tharman will also visit the University of Dar es Salaam to deliver a speech and engage with students. A Singapore-Tanzania joint business roundtable, co-organized by the Singapore Business Federation, will bring together business leaders from both nations to explore collaboration opportunities.

As part of the visit, President Tharman will travel to Zanzibar, the semi-autonomous archipelago, where he will meet President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi. He will also visit Darajani Souk, a community rejuvenation project involving Singapore agro-commodities company Nomanbhoy & Sons.

The Singapore foreign relations push into Africa has been strategic. In November 2025, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Ethiopia, where he announced Singapore would open an embassy in Addis Ababa. Since 2022, Singapore leaders have visited six African nations including Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, and South Africa.

President Tharman will be accompanied by his wife Jane Ittogi, Minister Indranee Rajah, Ministers of State Alvin Tan and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, MPs, and officials from Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise.

Before Tanzania, President Tharman will make a working visit to South Africa from June 2 to 8, meeting President Cyril Ramaphosa in Cape Town and Johannesburg. He will also chair a World Bank Group High-level Advisory Council on Jobs meeting.

As President Tharman makes his first state visit to Tanzania marking 45 years of Singapore foreign relations, The Silicon Review examines how Singapore is deepening ties with Africa's fastest-growing economies.

Q: Why is President Tharman visiting Tanzania?
A: President Tharman is making his first state visit to Tanzania at the invitation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, marking the 45th anniversary of Singapore foreign relations between the two nations.

Q: When will President Tharman's state visit to Tanzania take place?
A: The state visit will take place from June 8 to 10, 2026, following a working visit to South Africa from June 2 to 8.

Q: What agreements will be signed during the visit?
A: The two presidents will witness the signing and exchange of memoranda of understanding covering areas including carbon credits, capacity building, skills development, and technical and vocational training.

Q: Will President Tharman visit Zanzibar as part of the trip?
A: Yes. President Tharman will visit the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, meet President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, and tour Darajani Souk, a community rejuvenation project.

Q: What is the significance of Darajani Souk?
A: Darajani Souk is a community rejuvenation public-private partnership project at the edge of Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, involving Singapore agro-commodities company Nomanbhoy & Sons.

Q: Which Singapore officials are accompanying President Tharman?
A: He is accompanied by his wife Jane Ittogi, Minister Indranee Rajah, Ministers of State Alvin Tan and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, MPs, and officials from multiple agencies.