Economic diplomacy, foreign policy, and bilateral cooperation: Insights from Tanzania–Kenya relations

Abstract

This article examines the contribution and effectiveness of Tanzania’s diplomatic representation in advancing Tanzania–Kenya bilateral economic relations, focusing on economic-diplomacy initiatives, policy influence and alignment, public diplomacy and stakeholder perceptions, and the institutional and implementation challenges affecting the Mission’s effectiveness from 2015 to 2024. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed-methods approach incorporating descriptive, historical, and evaluative designs, guided by Diplomatic Representation Theory, Constructivism, Soft Power Theory, and Neofunctionalism. The target population comprised diplomats, government and East African Community (EAC) officials, traders, business leaders, transport operators, border officials, academics, policy experts, and  community representatives involved in Tanzania–Kenya economic cooperation. A target sample of 220 participants was established using Cochran’s formula, with purposive sampling for key informants and stratified sampling for stakeholder representation. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, documentary review, and observations, yielding 216 responses. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, t-tests, and multiple regression, while qualitative data were thematically analysed. The findings highlight that the Tanzania High Commission contributed to bilateral economic cooperation through NTB removal, exporter support, and joint-venture facilitation, with economic-diplomacy initiatives explaining 49.3% of  perceived impact. Diplomatic engagement significantly influenced policy perceptions, χ²(12) = 28.41, p = .005, while public diplomacy explained 46.4% of perception variance. However, lower border-level impact, t(184) = 2.87, p = .005, and inadequate Mission capacity reported by 33.9% of respondents constrained implementation. The study recommends strengthening economic diplomacy, addressing non-tariff and regulatory barriers, improving policy and border coordination, expanding public diplomacy, and enhancing the Mission’s institutional capacity.