Straits Times - 09 June 2026
Singapore to negotiate FTA with regional bloc of 8 East African countries
By Chin Soo Fang
Singapore will negotiate a free trade agreement with a bloc of eight East African countries, its first with an African partner.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on June 9 that the Republic welcomed the East African Community’s (EAC) intention to pursue such a pact, which would improve trade flows between the economies and open up new areas of growth.
This would also be the regional bloc’s first FTA negotiation with a partner outside Africa.
President Tharman was speaking to the media alongside his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan as part of his state visit to the country from June 8 to 10.
The FTA would be a significant step as it would connect Singapore not only with Tanzania but with the other seven partner states in the bloc, said President Tharman.
These are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda.
“The EAC-Singapore FTA would be a timely move to diversify our trade networks amidst current geopolitical tensions,” President Tharman said.
An FTA would improve market access and the flow of goods and services between the EAC and Singapore, he added.
“Singapore could provide East African exporters with a gateway to the larger ASEAN market,” he said. “It will also open up newer areas of growth, such as in the digital economy.”
President Hassan, speaking in Swahili, said she welcomed Singapore to enhance cooperation with the East African region with an FTA.
She added that Tanzania wants to cooperate with Singapore to empower its youth in education, skills development and innovation and in the digital economy.
President Hassan also invited Singapore to set up an embassy in Tanzania.
The two leaders were speaking to the media after they and their delegations met earlier on June 9 at the Dar es Salaam State House, also known as the Ikulu, the official residence of the Tanzanian president.
President Tharman’s state visit, at the invitation of President Hassan, is the first such visit by a Singapore president to the East African country and coincides with the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In line with this milestone, it is timely for the two countries to inject fresh momentum into the relationship, and to explore new areas for practical cooperation, said President Tharman.
With the current global situation where international rules, institutions and habits of cooperation are under strain, countries must address problems with resolve and not diffidence, he added.
“Our response must be to build bridges – including between Asia and Africa, and among countries that believe that openness and partnership still offer the best path forward.”
The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of a number of agreements between the two countries that would deepen cooperation in areas including trade flow, carbon credits and skills development.
Among the agreements exchanged was one to avoid double taxation for cross-border business activities. This will lower barriers to investment and trade and economic flows between the two states. It will enter into force after ratification by both countries.
The agreement will give businesses greater certainty and make it easier for them to invest in the long term, said President Tharman.
Another agreement was for both sides to collaborate more on carbon markets. This includes exchanging information, knowledge and best practices on carbon market frameworks and mitigation projects.
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry also inked an agreement with its Tanzanian counterpart to evaluate all aspects of bilateral relations between both countries, and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
President Tharman noted that Singapore and Tanzania are working together to enhance bilateral cooperation, including on the economic front, in climate and resilience, and between the peoples and institutions.
He cited the example of Singapore’s Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School which is drawing on its strengths in translational research, gene therapy and global health innovation to collaborate with Tanzania’s Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences to strengthen Tanzania’s national sickle cell disease programme.
This is a chronic illness affecting 11,000 newborns in Tanzania each year, and accounts for about 6.4 per cent of under-five mortality in Africa.
The collaboration could improve public health outcomes in Tanzania, generate spillover benefits across Africa, and contribute to global health innovation, President Tharman said.
Upon arrival at the Ikulu, President Tharman was met with an official welcome ceremony that included a 21-gun salute.
