Her Excellency Ambassador Elsie Sia Kanza presented a comprehensive briefing on the performance and strategic engagements of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in the United States to the Tanzanian delegation participating in the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings 2026, currently underway in Washington, D.C..
In her presentation, Ambassador Kanza highlighted the steady growth in bilateral trade between Tanzania and the United States, noting an increase from USD 1.15 billion in 2023 to USD 1.4 billion in 2024, representing a 22.1 percent rise. She further indicated that Tanzania’s exports to the United States grew by 18 percent in 2025, despite prevailing global trade and environmental challenges.
She also underscored the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which had been due to expire on 30 September 2025, but has now been prolonged for an additional year until 31 December 2026 following sustained diplomatic engagement. The programme continues to deliver significant benefits to Tanzania, with exports under AGOA accounting for 42.85 percent in recent years—approximately 95 percent of which comprise textile and apparel products.
On investment, Ambassador Kanza noted the continued expansion of U.S. companies in Tanzania, including Marriott International, which plans to increase its hotel portfolio in the country from 11 to 20 by 2027, and Visa Inc., which has recently established a business office in Tanzania—further reflecting growing investor confidence in the country’s economic prospects.
