Initial contacts between the two sides originate from the period before the independence of Tanganyika when the Government of Yugoslavia provided political, moral and material support to the liberation movement.[3]Krsto Popivoda, Member of the Federal Executive Council, attended the formal proclamation of independence of Tanganyika on 9 December 1961.[3] While Yugoslavia expressed reservations and critical comments on Uganda–Tanzania War it still provided military aid to Tanzania which was not granted to Uganda.[2] Yugoslavia also refused comparison of Tanzanian intervention in Uganda with Cambodian–Vietnamese War.[2]
Two countries expanded their economic cooperation as the development alternative to dependence on the former colonial powers or Cold War superpowers. Yugoslavia initiated soy production in Tanzania, donated 5,000 tones of corn, funded 660,000 US dollars for mineral research, provided advice on textile production in Tuaza, created electrification projects and donated 3 million dollars for Youth Camp in Zanzibar while 1,6 million US dollars was determined for the food quality laboratory.[2]