DALLAS city in the United States has signed an agreement with the city of Dar es Salaam, the commercial capital, for a sister city partnership agreement.

Omary Kumbilamoto and Eric L. Johnson of Dallas, the mayors of the two cities, signed the agreement at a ceremony in Dar es Salaam yesterday, aimed at enhancing commercial, cultural and educational exchanges between the two dynamic urban centers.

The resident US chargé d’affaires Jonathan Howard, the country’s US envoy Elsie Kanza attended the ceremony, as well as senior government officials, top executives and members of the diplomatic community.

“This partnership is about building bridges—not just between our governments but between our people, our businesses and our institutions,” the visiting mayor asserted, “We see Dar es Salaam not only as a key city in Africa, but as a strategic partner for global innovation and shared prosperity,” he declared.

Mayor Johnson’s visit to Tanzania is part of an eight-day diplomatic and economic mission, with additional stops planned for Zanzibar and Arusha, accompanied by members of the Tanzanian American Chamber of Commerce (TACC).

The Dallas-based organization is committed to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties between the US and Tanzania, he said, noting that during their time in Dar es Salaam, the Dallas delegation will engage in high-level meetings with the regional secretariat, government officials and the US Chamber of Commerce here.

Talks will be focused on collaboration in agribusiness, healthcare, renewable energy, logistics, digital technology, manufacturing and financial services, he stated, affirming that Dallas is a global leader in economic innovation.

“Our city has leveraged infrastructure development and forward-thinking business policies to build one of the most dynamic urban economies in the world. We’re eager to exchange best practices with our Tanzanian counterparts,” he emphasized.

His Dar counterpart welcomed the Dallas initiative as a progressive step that helps the city’s long-term vision to become a regional economic powerhouse.

“This agreement opens doors for exchange in multiple sectors,” he said. “Dallas is among the top business hubs in America, and we believe this partnership will bring tangible benefits to both cities. We’re especially excited about business training exchanges that can directly benefit our local entrepreneurs and workforce,” he elaborated.

Dar es Salaam, one of the fastest-growing cities around the world, serves as a vital gateway to East African trade and investment, with both mayors expressing optimism that the partnership will unlock new avenues for innovation, job creation and sustainable development.

Observers at the ceremony affirmed that the ‘sister city’ agreement is a milestone in grassroots diplomacy, illustrating how city-to-city relationships can play a pivotal role in advancing international cooperation in a globalized world.