Agreements cover trade and infrastructure cooperation
Countries plan gas pipeline feasibility study linking Dar es Salaam and Mombasa
Kenya and Tanzania target removing trade barriers by June 2026

Tanzania and Kenya signed eight cooperation agreements on Monday, according to the Tanzanian presidency.

The agreements were signed during Kenyan President William Ruto’s two-day visit to Tanzania and cover railway cooperation, a feasibility study for a natural gas pipeline linking Dar es Salaam and Mombasa, and cooperation on criminal investigations and legal assistance.

The deals also include agriculture, mutual recognition of seafarer certifications, maritime transport, standards harmonization between Zanzibar and Kenya, and training for public servants.

Trade and investment

Bilateral trade between Tanzania and Kenya totaled $860.3 million in 2025. The two countries aim to generate an additional 130 billion Kenyan shillings ($1 billion) in trade and 65 billion shillings in cross-border investment.

Ruto said achieving that goal would require removing obstacles to the free movement of people, goods and services.

Kenya and Tanzania have set a target of KSh130 billion in new trade and KSh65 billion in fresh cross-border investments. To achieve this ambition, we must deliberately bring down hurdles that hinder free movement of people, goods and services.

Business and trade will grow… pic.twitter.com/PdfENDwnO3


— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 5, 2026

Tanzania and Kenya also set a June 30, 2026 deadline to remove all non-tariff barriers.

According to Ruto, business and trade would grow significantly if barriers such as border delays, unharmonized standards and market access restrictions were eliminated.

The two countries are also working to align legal and regulatory frameworks and develop infrastructure to support cross-border trade and investment.

The agreements follow a visit by Rwandan President Paul Kagame to Tanzania on May 3, during which both countries also pledged closer economic and infrastructure cooperation.

The moves are part of broader efforts to deepen East African economic integration and strengthen the region’s competitiveness in global markets.

Lydie Mobio