Tanzania and Qatar have signed a Double Taxation Agreement aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment between the two nations. The agreement was signed on September 29, 2026, by Tanzanian Minister of Finance, Amb. Khamis Mussa Omar, and Qatar's Minister of Finance, Ali Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. This treaty is expected to create a more favorable environment for investors by eliminating double taxation.
The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank's (AIIB) 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in Doha, Qatar. According to Minister Omar, this agreement reflects the strong friendship between Tanzania and Qatar, as well as their shared ambition to build a modern and equitable system that attracts investors and aligns with international standards.
The agreement is expected to have a positive impact on various sectors in Tanzania, including infrastructure, energy, tourism, transport and logistics, agriculture, and financial services. Minister Omar expressed optimism that the treaty will attract new investment across these sectors, contributing to the country's economic growth. He also emphasized that the agreement will strengthen cooperation between the tax authorities of both countries and support international efforts against tax evasion and avoidance.
Qatar's Minister of Finance, Ali Bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, highlighted the significance of Tanzania as an important economic partner for Qatar. He noted that the removal of double taxation on cross-border business income will attract more investment and capital from Qatar. Al Kuwari also mentioned that Qatar is ready to exchange knowledge and expertise with Tanzania, citing the involvement of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) in various projects in the country.
Tanzania has been actively seeking investment from Qatar, inviting Qatari investors, including Thirty-Five Investment Holding, to invest in the livestock and fisheries sectors. The country's meat exports have shown significant growth, rising from about 1,000 metric tonnes in 2021 to nearly 15,000 tonnes. The government has set a target of at least 50,000 tonnes of meat exports per year.
Tanzania has an existing network of double taxation treaties with nine countries: Canada, Denmark, Finland, India, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and Zambia. The country has also signed agreements with the United Arab Emirates in 2022, Oman in 2024, Türkiye in May 2026, and Singapore in June 2026, which are yet to come into force.
The Double Taxation Agreement with Qatar is expected to further enhance Tanzania's investment climate and attract more foreign investment. With this treaty in place, Tanzania is poised to benefit from increased economic cooperation with Qatar, leading to potential growth and development in various sectors.
Key points
- The agreement eliminates double taxation, creating a more transparent and predictable environment for investors.
- The treaty is expected to attract new investment in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and tourism.
- Tanzania's meat exports have risen significantly, with a government target of at least 50,000 tonnes per year.
