FG to enhance economic ties with Tanzania
President Kashim Shettima
FG to enhance economic ties with Tanzania
Abdullateef Fowewe
Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for strengthened cooperation between Nigeria and Tanzania in shared aspirations for continental growth and unity.
Shettima while speaking with the former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, stated that it is important to foster stronger economic and social ties between Nigeria and Tanzania.
This was revealed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President of Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
Shettima stressed that it has become necessary since Nigeria shares historic ties with Tanzania, particularly in their roles as frontline states in the fight against apartheid and colonialism.
Nkwocha quoted the vice president saying “Tanzania is one of Africa’s success stories. From Julius Nyerere to Samia Suluhu Hassan, the country has been blessed with exceptional leaders. Tanzania stands as a beacon of hope and stability in East Africa.
“With the discovery of significant gas reserves, Tanzania is on a fast track to development. If key African nations like Nigeria and Tanzania succeeds, the entire continent will benefit.”
Furthermore, Shettima praised the Tanzanian government’s support for Nigerian businesses in Tanzania, citing companies like United Bank for Africa, Guarantee and Trust Bank, and Dangote among many others.
In his remark, former President Kikwete who was in Nigeria for the convocation ceremony at the National Defence College expressed the readiness of that country to strengthen business and diplomatic ties with Nigeria.
He said, “We value the friendship and cooperation between Nigeria and Tanzania and are committed to strengthening it further.”
He, however, acknowledged the role of the Nigerian National Defence College in training Tanzanian military personnel, expressing positiveness for deeper ties in defence, trade and diplomacy.
Both leaders according to Nkwocha stressed the importance of revisiting outdated agreements and scaling up bilateral relations in the spirit of African solidarity.
