REMITTANCES from Tanzanian nationals living outside the country reached 2.1trn/- during the July to December 2024 period, up from 2.04trn/- during the same period in 2023.

Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation minister made this observation when presenting budget estimates in the legislature yesterday, noting that Diaspora investments rose to 7.5bn/- from 6.4bn/- the previous year, citing figures from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).

He outlined a renewed push to deepen ties with partner countries and implement the 2024 revised foreign policy format, when unveiling five priorities for the new financial year.

The priorities focus on strengthening bilateral coordination and Tanzania’s participation in regional and international organizations to safeguard national interests, he said, affirming that the government aims to advance economic diplomacy.

It needs to expand markets for Tanzanian products abroad, attract foreign investments and boost tourism, he said, elaborating that Tanzania’s influence in cross-cutting regional and global issues needs to be increased to achieve broad national goals.

Supporting peace, security and stability initiatives regionally and globally will be pursued, while the ministry works to improve staff working conditions, enhance governance and invest in institutional development and capacity building, he said.

The Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), a ministerial agency, plans to expand its international-standard services and promote Tanzania in the global conference tourism space, liaising with the private sector and international organizations

It seeks to increase revenue through more events and improved marketing, the minister noted, highlighting that the Salim Ahmed Salim Centre for Foreign Relations will be offering training in diplomacy and Kiswahili to foreigners.

It is bent on conducting research and advising stakeholders—including the government—on international relations, he said.

He was equally optimistic on the growing role of the Diaspora, as the government was strengthening Diaspora engagement by linking members abroad with institutions at home and organizing service clinics in strategic countries, such as the Comoros in August 2024.

A review of the digital Diaspora registration hub was carried out to improve user-friendliness and accuracy in Diaspora data collection, he stated.

During fiscal 2025/2026, the ministry projects 1.45bn/- revenues from rent and document verification at embassies abroad, while spending 340.5bn/-, whereby 295bn/- is for recurrent expenses and 45.5bn/- for development projects, he said. This includes the construction and renovation of embassy offices and staff residences abroad, with funds being directed at completing the head offices of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, alongside lecture halls at the Foreign Relations Centre, he added.