Somalia, Tanzania sign migration and travel pact to ease visas, bolster border security
Monday February 16, 2026
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MOGADISHU — Somalia and Tanzania have signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on migration management and make travel easier between the two countries, officials said.
The agreement was signed by Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail, known as Fartaag, and Tanzania’s Minister of Home Affairs, Patrobas Paschal Katambi. Senior immigration officials from both governments attended the ceremony, including Somalia’s Director General of the Immigration and Citizenship Agency, Mustafe Sheikh Cali Dhuxulow, and Tanzania’s immigration official Dr. Anna P. Makakala.
Under the MoU, the two sides committed to closer coordination among relevant agencies on migration management and border security. The deal also introduces visa facilitation measures intended to speed cross-border travel for government and private-sector travelers.
Officials said the arrangement is designed to streamline the movement of people and promote closer ties in diplomacy, security and trade. In a statement, Somalia’s internal security minister said the agreement “will promote tourism, investment, education exchange and business mobility, while strengthening institutional cooperation and enhancing people-to-people connections between our two countries.”
The travel measures include:
- Visa-free entry for diplomats and government officials from both countries
- Visas for citizens traveling on ordinary passports processed within 24 hours
Authorities said expedited visas are expected to support commercial activity by reducing delays for business travelers, students and professionals moving between the two nations. Both governments pledged swift implementation of the visa provisions and technical coordination clauses to ensure consistent application at ports of entry.
Beyond mobility, the MoU prioritizes information-sharing and operational cooperation among immigration, security and border-control institutions. Officials framed the accord as part of a broader push to tighten border oversight while facilitating legitimate travel and commerce.
Somalia’s government also noted that direct flights between Somalia and Tanzania, agreed in principle last year, are expected to begin soon, a move officials say would further lower travel barriers and deepen economic and social ties.
Somali officials described Tanzania as a valued partner in advancing regional cooperation and stability, and reaffirmed Mogadishu’s commitment to expanding collaboration in security, trade, investment, aviation and broader bilateral engagement. Tanzanian officials echoed the emphasis on practical implementation, saying effective coordination will be key to realizing the agreement’s goals.
While the MoU does not overhaul existing border policies, it sets a framework for faster processing and more predictable procedures for travelers—steps governments and business groups have long argued are essential to boosting tourism, attracting investment and supporting education partnerships. The 24-hour visa standard for ordinary passports, in particular, is meant to provide clarity for travelers and reduce administrative bottlenecks that can discourage short-notice trips.
Officials did not provide a detailed timeline for when all measures would take effect but said technical teams are moving to operationalize the commitments. They added that early wins—such as synchronized guidance to border posts and a single point of contact for queries—would help build momentum for longer-term cooperation on migration and border security.
Monday’s signing marks a notable step in Somalia–Tanzania relations, aligning mobility and security interests at a time when governments across the region are looking to balance tighter border management with economic integration. Both sides said the success of the accord will be judged by faster, more reliable services for travelers and stronger agency-to-agency links that can manage risks without stifling legitimate movement.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
