Tanzanian President Samia Congratulates Hichilema, Pledges Stronger Tanzania-Zambia Ties

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan has congratulated Hakainde Hichilema on his re-election as Zambia’s president, pledging to continue strengthening the historic ties between the two countries.

Samia sent her message on Tuesday, August 18, on behalf of the Government and people of Tanzania, shortly after Zambia’s Electoral Commission officially declared Hichilema the winner of the presidential election.

In a message shared on her Instagram account, Samia said she looked forward to continuing to work with Hichilema to strengthen what she described as the deep, historical and fraternal relationship between Tanzania and Zambia.

“To His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, President-elect of the Republic of Zambia: on behalf of the Government and the people of the United Republic of Tanzania, I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your re-election as the President of the Republic of Zambia,” Samia wrote.

She said continued cooperation between the two countries would be important in ensuring that Tanzanians and Zambians benefit from their nations’ relationship.

“I am looking forward to continuing working with you in strengthening the deep, historical and fraternal bonds between Tanzania and Zambia for the benefits of our people and our two nations,” she said.

Tanzania and Zambia have maintained close relations for decades, with their ties extending beyond government-to-government cooperation.

One of the strongest symbols of the relationship is the Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA), built through cooperation among the two countries and China under the leadership of Tanzania’s founding president, Julius Nyerere, and Zambia’s founding president, Kenneth Kaunda.

The railway became an important transport link connecting landlocked Zambia to the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam and remains one of the best-known examples of the historical cooperation between the two countries.

Samia said she expected the relationship and cooperation to continue growing under Hichilema’s leadership.

“Mr President-elect, you have my best wishes. God bless you. God bless Zambia. God bless Africa,” she concluded.

Hichilema was officially declared the winner of Zambia’s 2026 presidential election on August 18, securing about 60 percent of the vote and defeating his main challenger, Brian Mundubile.