RESPONSES FROM HIS EXCELLENCE TOGOLANI EDRISS MAVURA, AMBASSADOR OF THE UNITED 

REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA

IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

주한 탄자니아 대사관 "토골라니 애드리스 마부라"대사 인터뷰

 1. Tanzania and Korea celebrated the 30^th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year and have maintained friendly relations for a long time. Are there currently any areas worth noting in strengthening friendly relations and promoting cooperation between the two countries?

It all began on April 30^th, 1992 when our two countries decided to establish diplomatic relations.

 Last year was a pretty significant milestone as we celebrated the 3oth anniversary of thus diplomatic partnership. We celebrated the anniversary with colors and poked in Seoul on April 3o^th 2022 where the Ministers of Foreign Affairs from our two countries graced us with their presence. 

In 1992 the Embassy of the Republic of Korea was proudly opened in in Dar es Salaam, strengthening the ties between our two nations. And not to be outdone, we reciprocated by opening our Embassy here in Seoul back in 2018. A true display of mutual respect and cooperation. My predecessor Her Excellency Ambassador Matilda Masuka served here from 2018 to 2021, leaving a remarkable impact during her tenure. And then, in the second half of 2021, I had the privilege of stepping into the role as the current Ambassador, working to further enhance the relationship between our nations. It’s been an exciting journey so far, and I’m thrilled to be part of this important diplomatic mission.

The bilateral relation between our two nations is robust and continuously flourishing. 

Last year Honorable Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa (MP), Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea to further stregntherning the ties between our nations from 26^th to 28^th October, 2022 and he had the honor of meeting his Counterpart, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, 

Honorable Han Duck-soo. Prior to that, then Prime Minister Honorable Lee Nak-yon visited to Tanzania from 21^st to 23^rd July, 2018.

Within 30 years, Tanzania is considered Korea’s strategic partner^[1] 

in Africa. It hosts 4 Korean agencies namely Korea Exim Bank (KEXIM), Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea Trade Agency (KOTRA) and Korea Internet Security Agency (KISA). My country is the 2^nd largest recipient of the soft loans from Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) administered by the Korea Exim Bank. Between 2014 and 2020, Tanzania received about 733 million USD and 1 billion USD respectively for 2021 – 2025.

Going forward there are some areas which my Embassy is now focusing on to further take our relationship to new heights as follows:

        (i)        Blue Economy; 

        (ii)        Trade and Investment;

        (iii)        Tourism; and 

        (iv)        Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges;

2. Cultural exchanges play an important role in promoting understanding and cooperation between countries. What cultural exchange programs are currently being conducted between Tanzania and Korea?

Approximately 500 Koreans are currently residing in Tanzania, while about 300 Tanzanians have made Korea their home. Interestingly, nearly two-thirds of the Tanzanians living in Korea are university  Notably, a Memorandum of Cooperation has already been signed between the Busan 

Recognizing the potential for strengthening the bond between Tanzania and Korea, 

my Embassy has strategically focused on cooperation through art and culture, 

aiming to capture Korea's attention and foster friendship while promoting tourism. 

Discussions have been initiated to explore cooperation in the music and cinema industries. 

Notably, a Memorandum of Cooperation has already been signed between the Busan 

1) There are 27 Priority Partner countries in the world and only 7 in Africa including Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Egypt, Ghana, and Senegal. 70 percent of Korea ODA Budget (3.3 billion USD) is spent to Priority Partner countries. 

Film Commission and the Tanzania Film Board, laying the foundation for collaboration in this area.

In parallel, KOICA Tanzania is working with Tanzania Film Board to execute capacity 

building comprehensive 3-year cooperation program in this realm.

We have established Swahili Language Classes in our Embassy. 

Up to June 2023, more than 480 Koreans has completed their training on Kiswahili language^[2]. 

The Embassy has also developed the first training books Called “Vitabu vya Tunu” Swahili for “Books of Virtues” or Books of Tunu” for non-Swahili speakers which are approved by National Kiswahili Council (BAKITA). Swahili language is also taught in two Universities in Korea namely Seoul National University (SNU) and Hankuk Universities of Foreign Studies. It is estimated that a total of about 2,700 Koreans have received Swahili language training to date. Record shows there are two Korean Language Centres in Tanzania at the Tanzania Mozambique Centre for Foreign Relations and at the University of Dodoma. On 7^th July this year we celebrated the Second International Kiswahili Language Day at Seoul University. It was a momentous occasion for Koreans and Tanzanians to Interact and engage to each other. 

^[2]Korea government has prioritised Swahili as a strategic foreign language and finance its training in the two mentioned Universities.