By Joseph Mahumi na Jordan Mbwambo, Dodoma
Government has commended Hungary for deepening its diplomatic and economic engagement with Tanzania, citing water infrastructure and social development projects as key pillars of the expanding bilateral relationship.
The praise was delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Natu El-Maamry Mwamba, during talks with Hungary’s acting Ambassador to Tanzania, Mr. Dávid Tóth, held at the Ministry’s offices in Dodoma.
Dr. Mwamba said Tanzania highly values Hungary’s sustained commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, particularly following the recent opening of a Hungarian Diplomatic Office in Dar es Salaam, which he described as a clear signal of Budapest’s long-term strategic interest in Tanzania.
“The establishment of a diplomatic presence in Dar es Salaam demonstrates Hungary’s genuine intention to elevate its engagement with Tanzania, both politically and economically,” Dr Mwamba said.
Water infrastructure at the centre of cooperation
A key focus of the discussions was the Biharamulo Water Supply Project in Kagera Region, which is being supported by Hungary and aligns closely with Tanzania’s national development priorities under the Third Five-Year National Development Plan (2021/22–2025/26) and the Tanzania Development Vision 2050.
Dr. Mwamba said the project is expected to significantly improve access to clean and safe water for residents of Biharamulo District and surrounding areas, with wider social and economic spill-over effects.
“The implementation of this project will not only enhance access to clean water but also stimulate socio-economic development, improve public health outcomes and support local productivity,” he noted.
Access to safe water remains a critical development priority for Tanzania, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, where infrastructure gaps continue to constrain health, education and economic activity.
Call to expand financial cooperation
While welcoming Hungary’s provision of concessional financing, Dr. Mwamba encouraged a broadening of the current cooperation framework to include grant financing, especially for projects with strong social impact.
“We appreciate Hungary’s concessional loans, which have played an important role in financing development projects. However, there is room to expand this cooperation to include grant funding, particularly for priority sectors such as social services, infrastructure and economic empowerment initiatives,” he said.
He added that a more diversified financing mix would strengthen the impact of bilateral cooperation and enhance its benefits for citizens of both countries.
Strategic African partner
For his part, Acting Ambassador Dávid Tóth reaffirmed Hungary’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Tanzania, describing the Biharamulo water project as a practical example of development-oriented partnership.
“Hungary regards Tanzania as a key development partner in Africa. We are committed to supporting projects that directly improve people’s lives, including the Biharamulo water project, which will increase access to clean and safe water for communities in Kagera,” Mr. Tóth said.
Hungary’s development engagement with Tanzania has in recent years expanded beyond water into areas such as education, health, agriculture and capacity building, including scholarships under the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, which has enabled Tanzanian students to pursue higher education in Hungary.
A relationship on an upward trajectory
Tanzania–Hungary relations have steadily strengthened over the past decade, driven by Hungary’s renewed focus on Africa and Tanzania’s growing appeal as a politically stable economy with strong development prospects. The opening of a diplomatic office in Dar es Salaam is expected to accelerate cooperation in trade, investment, development finance and technical assistance.
The Dodoma meeting was attended by senior officials from both governments, including Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance Ms Amina Khamis Shaaban, Acting Commissioner for Policy Analysis Dr Remidius Ruhinduka, Commissioner for External Finance Mr Rished Bade, Assistant Commissioner Mr Melkizedeck Mbise, and Hungarian water projects specialist Mr Szabolcs Nagy, alongside officials from Tanzania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation. As Tanzania advances its Dira 2050 agenda, officials say partnerships such as that with Hungary will remain critical in mobilising finance, expertise and innovation to deliver inclusive and sustainable development.
