Dar es Salaam trade fair generates Sh7.06bn as PM issues seven key directives

Dar es Salaam. The 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) concluded on Sunday, July 13, with reported sales exceeding Sh7.06 billion and orders secured worth more than Sh44.4 billion.

Closing the 16-day event at the Mwalimu Nyerere Fair Grounds, Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa issued seven directives aimed at strengthening the country’s trade sector and enhancing future exhibitions.

He directed all ministries overseeing business in Tanzania to work more closely with the private sector, urging them to address constraints limiting full participation in trade exhibitions.

“Engage with the private sector. Let us listen to their concerns, identify the bottlenecks, and resolve them to ensure they can participate meaningfully in future exhibitions,” he said.

Mr Majaliwa also instructed the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) to intensify efforts in securing both domestic and international markets for exhibitors, in a bid to boost foreign exchange earnings.

“I mentioned the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the SADC market. These are highly competitive platforms. A thorough analysis should be done to identify exportable products, and traders should be informed so they can take full advantage,” he added.

The Prime Minister further urged business institutions in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that hinder traders from achieving their goals.

He emphasised the importance of producing high-quality goods tailored to market needs, noting the rising demand for items such as fish, including dagaa, and seaweed used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

“We need to expand our market reach. Quality is key if we are to compete globally,” he said.

Another directive called for all locally produced goods to bear the "Made in Tanzania" label as a way of promoting national identity through products.

“Producers should also enhance their marketing efforts. They should use media, social platforms and newspapers so consumers know where the products come from and who makes them. This visibility will help unlock new markets,” he advised.

Mr Majaliwa commended the rising level of participation in this year’s event, noting that the number of international companies rose to 394, an increase of 110 firms compared to last year.

“This is a commendable achievement. It shows growing confidence in our trade platforms,” he said.

He extended an invitation to the 22 countries that participated in this year’s fair to consider investing in Tanzania, assuring them of an available, skilled, and dependable workforce.

“I believe these countries will return, not just to exhibit, but to invest,” he added.

TanTrade Director General Latifa Khamis said this year’s exhibition saw a significant increase in visitors and more than doubled last year’s sales figures, which stood at Sh3.62 billion.

“In collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics, we captured comprehensive data. About 60 percent of exhibitors reported meeting their business targets,” she said.

Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, highlighted that improvements in infrastructure and layout, modelled on lessons from expos in Dubai and Osaka, had raised the fair to international standards.

“This boosted the appeal of the exhibition, attracting over 2.6 million visitors. Most services were digitised, and ticketing was seamless, with minimal queues,” he noted.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the East African Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC), Catherine Wang, announced that the centre will be officially inaugurated on August 2 by President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The centre aims to facilitate enhanced trade between Tanzania and China.