German Ambassador to Tanzania, Regine Hess, 57, about historic burdens, why Germans love Tanzania and achievements in cooperation.

As Tanzania is celebrating 60 years of independence, the German embassy has made a documentary about ‘60 years of friendship’ between the two nations, Nobel prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah reminds us of a darker past…

Regine Hess: …and rightly so. We absolutely need to come to terms with the entire colonial history, good and bad. My approach is, know the past, look to the future. This view is shared by many in politics and also by descendants of those who suffered under colonial rule.

What do Germans see in Tanzania today?

For many, Tanzania is still the epitome of Africa, dating back to professor Bernhard Grzimek’s TV-crusade to save the Serengeti in the 60s, which was extremely popular. We still finance anti-poaching and biodiversity programs there and are very proud of the cooperation, which actually brought about the Serengeti national park. Another German uniqueness: Until reunification there were two ambassadors, from East- and West Germany, in Dar es Salaam. Currently our relations are very diverse.

Meaning?

We collaborate in the field of culture exchange, for instance between music schools in Bagamoyo and Munich. In the field of security we finance army cooperation and support of the Lulago hospital. 

How much development money has Germany invested in Tanzania over the years?

We have committed 105 million Euro (about 280 billion TZS) this year mainly for water, health, biodiversity and good governance.

And since independence?

I don’t have the entire figure, but since 2010 we have paid between 150-300 million Euro (400-800 billion TZS) every year in official development assistance (ODA) and bilateral funds.

Trade instead of aid, would that serve the average people better?

There are three large German investors in Tanzania and Zanzibar, HeidelbergCement who recently took over TwigaCement, Knauf building material and last but not least Fumba Town developer CPS in Zanzibar.  Investments need the right framework. Volkswagen, for example, has decided to open a car factory in Rwanda.

What do investors need?

Educated labour, efficient clearing and forwarding, little bureaucracy, a stable energy supply.

In this time and age, what is the role of an ambassador?

Trust-building.

The German Embassy in Tanzania has 38.000 followers on fb, are you a digital diplomat?

Not really, I am lucky that my staff masters that. A good tweet is not easy to create.

How often have you been to Zanzibar since you started as ambassador here two years ago?

Certainly not enough. I always enjoy it very much. 

Interview: A. Tapper