LocationsUnlocking Opportunities for Agricultural Trade
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tanzania
From February 5 -7 , 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with UNDP Tanzania and the Comorian Embassy, hosted a pivotal bilateral meeting to strengthen food value-chain trade and market access between Tanzania and Comoros. This event brought together technical delegation from the Comorian government and private sector to establish a structured mechanism ensuring a stable market for Tanzanian farmers on Mtwara.
Presidential Vision for Regional Collaboration: This technical meeting builds upon commitments made during a bilateral dialogue between Tanzanian President, Her Excellency Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Comorian President, His Excellency Azali Assoumani at the Energy Summit. President Hassan emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to supporting, Comoro in achieving food security, particularly during the holy month of Ramadhan and beyond.
Driving Recovery and Market Access: Aligned with the UNDP-supported recovery project, “Enhancing Inclusive Recovery and Resilience Building for Flood-Affected Communities in Mtwara Region,” the meeting aims to empower youth and women through a market-driven approach in the horticulture value chain approach. Supported by the Government of Japan, this initiative seeks economic recovery for flood-affected communities while fostering regional trade.
Insights from the Discussion: A baseline survey highlighted that, while Mtwara port facilitates the transit of agricultural produce to Comoro, much of it originates outside Mtwara. The meeting focused on bridging this gap by boosting local production and ensuring the supply of key crops such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, onions, carrots, hot peppers, eggplants, and leafy vegetables from Mtwara to meet Comorian demand.
High-level Leadership and Action Plans - Co-chaired by Ambassador Noel Kaganda, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation and Shigeki Komatsubara, UNDP Resident Representative, the meeting was attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahamada El Badaoui Mohamed, the Comorian Ambassador to Tanzania and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, alongside stakeholders from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Chamber of Agriculture.
UNDP Tanzania
The Comorian delegation expressed urgency for food supplies due to climate-induced challenges, identifying specific demand for tubers (taro, sweet potatoes, potatoes), fruits (bananas, oranges), and vegetables (tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, garlic). They stressed adherence to international standards and proposed signing an MoU with Tanzanian suppliers, facilitated by Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Environment (MAFE) and the Chamber of Agriculture.
Site Visits and Next Steps - The delegation’s visit to Morogoro included engaging with suppliers and initiating export agreements with SUGECO. By February 20, 2025, an MoU will be finalized, with plans to build smallholder farmer capacity, address institutional gaps, and ensuresustainable food production for long-term success.
This collaboration signifies a major step toward enhancing food security, empowering communities and fostering economic growth across the region.
