Cultivating Partnerships in Kilimanjaro: Team Europe’s Role in Tanzania’s Agricultural Transformation

Cultivating Partnerships in Kilimanjaro: Team Europe's Role in Tanzania's Agricultural Transformation

As Team Europe Ambassadors (the European Union, its Member States and Institutions), we had the pleasure to witness ongoing projects and companies within the Kilimanjaro region as part of our yearly visit to the field. These visits allow us to engage with our partners while experiencing first-hand the impact of Team Europe's support across Tanzania.

Tanzania's agricultural sector remains the largest, representing almost one third of the country's GDP while employing at least three out of four Tanzanians. In this sector and more broadly, the relationship between Tanzania and the European Union has evolved into a mutually beneficial partnership that supports national priorities while advancing shared global goals such as sustainable growth and climate action. As Team Europe Ambassadors (the European Union, its Member States and Institutions), we had the pleasure to witness ongoing projects and companies within the Kilimanjaro region as part of our yearly visit to the field. These visits allow us to engage with our partners while experiencing first-hand the impact of Team Europe's support across Tanzania.

2025 is particularly significant as we celebrate 50 years of EU-Tanzania relations and 25 years of EU-AU cooperation-milestones that reflect our long-term commitment and enduring partnership with the country and the continent.

Team Europe engages with a wide range of agricultural innovations across Tanzania through the Funguo Innovation Programme, co-funded by the European Union, the Republic of Finland and the British Government (FCDO). During our visit, we interacted with Funguo beneficiary - Plant Biodefenders, a female-led startup that produces an organic pesticide treatment called VURUGA for crop management. As firm advocates for sustainable food production, it was commendable to see the team's success in creating a product that is locally produced, safe, environmentally friendly, and scalable.

Kilimanjaro plays a vital role in Tanzania's coffee sector, helping position the country as the 3rd largest producer in Africa and 17th globally. Team Europe has leveraged this strength by collaborating with the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) and other stakeholders to offer technical assistance and capacity building, ensuring that farmers and exporters can benefit from international markets. TCB showcased its upgraded online auction system, designed to expand market reach and lower sales costs for smallholder coffee farmers. As part of the visit, we toured the Kilimanjaro Plantation and the City Coffee Milling Factory, both German private-sector companies, where we saw how TCB is collaborating with them to meet the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation and how farmers' hard-earned harvests are transformed into polished beans ready for the world.

Beyond coffee, other EU member states engaged in bilateral cooperation with Tanzania contribute to the country's agricultural transformation in various ways. Finland through the various projects has consistently supported the Forestry Industries Training Institute (FITI). This institute has been working to provide training to its students, some of whom have completed practical sessions and aim to become a center of Excellency for forestry education. In support of the EU, Finland's Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) is collaborating with FITI on an initiative titled "Sustainable Forestry Education Development and Capacity Building in Tanzania and Zambia" (SUFOR). As part of this project, FITI tutors visited Finland in early June 2025 for the project launch hosted by HAMK University.

Moreover, a visit to the East-West Seed Company gave us a chance to witness efforts of our Dutch member state, which have gone beyond selling seeds to cultivating knowledge, by training smallholder farmers in modern vegetable farming and establishing demonstration plots across the country. This support extends even after training, by skilled agro-dealers and extension officers. This model underscores the truth that when you invest in people, you harvest more than crops - you harvest livelihoods.

The Tanganyika Planting Company highlighted how large-scale agribusiness can drive jobs creation, strengthen export potential, and promote sustainable farming practices in Tanzania. With French partners among others, the company's investment in modern techniques and environmentally conscious production reflects the broader shift towards resilient agriculture that benefits both the economy and surrounding communities.

Poland, through the Poland-East Africa Economic Foundation and Polish Aid, is also supporting smallholder farmers at the Kondiki Dairy Cooperative and Processing Facility. What began as a modest parish initiative has grown into a medium-sized cooperative dedicated to improving milk production, processing, and marketing for local farmers. Although the project was initially funded by the Polish government, the facility is now self-sustaining and operates independently.

As we concluded our mission with a short hike through Marangu Gate at Kilimanjaro, we reflected on past, present, and future goals for our partnership with Tanzania in agriculture. As the country transitions to its Development Vision 2050 centered on innovation, modernization, and sustainability, Team Europe is well positioned to align with these priorities. Our partnership, now evolved into a mutually beneficial relationship, is grounded in long-term support for the entire agricultural value chain, from crops like coffee at farm level to global markets, and while much work remains, we believe that through trust and continued collaboration we can advance sustainability and climate resilience.

This article was written by the ambassadors of the European Union and of the Member States of the European Union resident in Tanzania.

Background on Writers

EU Ambassador to Tanzania - Ms. Christine Grau, Ambassador of Belgium to Tanzania - Peter Huyghebaert, Ambassador of Denmark to Tanzania - Jesper Kammersgaard, Ambassador of Finland to Tanzania - Theresa Zitting, Ambassador of France to Tanzania - Anne-Sophie Avé, Ambassador of Germany to Tanzania - Thomas Terstegen, Ambassador of Ireland to Tanzania - Nicola Brennan, Ambassador of Italy to Tanzania - Giuseppe Coppola, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Tanzania - Marjo Crompvoets, Head of Mission of Poland in Tanzania - Sergiusz Wolski, Ambassador of Spain to Tanzania - Paloma Serra Robles, Ambassador of Sweden to Tanzania - Charlotta Ozaki.