President Samia Suluhu Hassan has arrived in Moscow, Russia, for a three-day state visit, marking the first visit by a Tanzanian head of state to the country in over five decades.
The visit follows an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin and is expected to strengthen diplomatic, trade, and investment relations between Tanzania and Russia.
The two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks before issuing a joint press statement on Wednesday.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan in Moscow, Russia. Photo: Courtesy.
During the trip, President Suluhu is also expected to be conferred an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) by Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University).
Economic cooperation will be a key focus of the visit, with the President set to participate in a plenary session at the 29th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026).
Tanzania aims to use the platform to attract foreign investment and advance its Vision 2050 development agenda.
She is accompanied by senior government officials, including Minister of State in the President’s Office for Planning and Investment Prof Kitila Mkumbo and Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority Director General Gilead Teri.
The delegation is also expected to take part in the Tanzania-Russia Business Forum, where business leaders from both countries will explore new investment and trade opportunities.
The visit is historically significant, becoming only the second official trip by a Tanzanian head of state to Moscow since independence.
The first was by founding President Julius Nyerere in 1969, during a period of Cold War diplomacy when Tanzania was strengthening ties with socialist nations while maintaining a non-aligned foreign policy.
