Egypt and Tanzania have reaffirmed their interest in deepening bilateral relations, with cooperation on water security and the Nile Basin forming an important part of discussions between the two countries. The issue was raised on September 20, 2026, when Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates, Dr Badr Abdelatty, held talks with Tanzania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, on the sidelines of meetings of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Egypt’s State Information Service, the two ministers discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and coordinate positions on matters of mutual interest.
The latest discussions come after a period of increased high-level engagement between Cairo and Dodoma. Relations have gained additional momentum following Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s visit to Tanzania in July, as well as the participation of the Egyptian Prime Minister in the inauguration of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project. The project has become one of the most visible examples of cooperation between the two countries. Egyptian companies were involved in its implementation, and Egyptian officials have described it as an important example of strategic cooperation on the African continent. Tanzania’s government has also highlighted the project as part of its efforts to expand electricity generation and support national development.
During President El-Sisi’s July visit to Dar es Salaam, he met with President Samia Suluhu Hassan for bilateral and expanded discussions involving delegations from both countries. The Egyptian presidency said the two sides discussed strengthening relations across a wide range of sectors and agreed on steps aimed at taking bilateral cooperation towards what they described as a strategic partnership. Water cooperation remains a particularly significant element of the relationship because both Egypt and Tanzania are Nile Basin countries. During the September 20 meeting, Foreign Minister Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s view that cooperation and integration among Nile Basin countries should be directed towards achieving common benefits and protecting shared interests.
He also referred to the importance of restoring inclusiveness within the Nile Basin Initiative, while stressing the need for consensus and what Egypt described as a spirit of brotherhood among the countries sharing the Nile. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry also reiterated its opposition to unilateral measures concerning the Nile and welcomed developments in the consultative process aimed at restoring inclusiveness in the Nile Basin Initiative in accordance with international law.
The water discussion follows earlier Egyptian-Tanzanian consultations in 2026. In May, Foreign Minister Abdelatty and Minister Kombo discussed bilateral relations as well as African and regional issues. Egypt’s State Information Service reported that Abdelatty again emphasised cooperation and integration among Nile Basin countries and the importance of restoring inclusivity within the Nile Basin Initiative. The two governments have also been building cooperation beyond water. During the July presidential visit, Egypt and Tanzania signed memoranda of understanding covering transport, electricity and renewable energy. The leaders also discussed agricultural development, including opportunities for agricultural land reclamation, as well as cooperation in livestock, infrastructure, ports, maritime connectivity, railways and logistics.
Economic cooperation was another important component of the July visit. President El-Sisi and President Samia attended the closing session of the Egypt-Tanzania Business Forum, which brought together Egyptian and Tanzanian business representatives. Egypt said the discussions focused on moving trade and investment cooperation towards concrete projects Among the areas identified were agriculture and livestock, port development, maritime and rail connectivity, logistics zones, roads and infrastructure, technology, science and the exchange of expertise. The Egyptian side also emphasised the role of private-sector investment in expanding economic relations between the two countries.
For Tanzania, the relationship with Egypt fits within a broader foreign-policy approach that places importance on economic diplomacy, African unity, bilateral and multilateral cooperation and South-South relations. Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation states that the country seeks to deepen economic cooperation with development partners while strengthening its participation in bilateral, regional and international organisations. The relationship has also continued at the presidential level. On September 16, President El-Sisi spoke by telephone with President Samia Suluhu Hassan and reaffirmed the depth of the historical relationship between Egypt and Tanzania. According to the Egyptian presidency, he pointed to the progress made in recent years and highlighted the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project as a significant example of cooperation between the two countries. He also stressed the importance of expanding coordination in areas of mutual interest, including water.
The two countries are also looking ahead to further diplomatic and economic engagement. During the September 20 meeting, President El-Sisi invited Tanzania to participate in the Alamein Africa Forum, scheduled to take place in New Alamein from October 2 to 4 alongside the eighth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union. Egypt has indicated that the forum is intended to provide further opportunities for African cooperation and engagement. Taken together, the recent meetings point to a broadening Egypt-Tanzania relationship in which infrastructure, energy, trade, agriculture and diplomatic coordination are developing alongside discussions over Nile water cooperation. For Cairo and Dodoma, the challenge will be to maintain this expanding engagement while continuing dialogue on water security and wider Nile Basin issues through regional and international frameworks.
