Dar es Salaam. The 12th Basketball Tournament of Chinese Enterprises tipped off yesterday at the Don Bosco Youth Centre in Upanga, bringing together Chinese companies operating in Tanzania for a week-long celebration of sport, culture, and business networking.
Organised by the Chinese Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania, the annual event—which runs from 19 to 24 August 2025—has become a fixture in Dar es Salaam’s corporate calendar. While the games draw crowds with their competitive energy, the tournament is as much about relationship-building as it is about basketball.
According to organisers, the competition provides a unique space for Chinese business leaders, employees, and Tanzanian partners to connect outside boardrooms. The event blends sport with informal diplomacy, helping to nurture the trust and understanding that underpin deeper economic ties.
“Beyond the scoreboards, this tournament is about community. It brings together business leaders, professionals, and families in a way that builds trust and reflects values we all share—discipline, teamwork, and perseverance,” said Ester Manase, Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Stanbic Bank Tanzania, one of the sponsors of this year’s tournament.
Chinese companies are increasingly visible across Tanzania’s economic landscape, particularly in infrastructure, construction, energy, manufacturing, and trade. Their investments have generated jobs, introduced new technologies, and supported supply chains.
While large-scale projects such as ports, roads, and industrial facilities often dominate headlines, events like the basketball tournament highlight the quieter, human side of these partnerships—strengthening bonds between communities and investors.
Stanbic Bank Tanzania has positioned itself as a strategic partner in this dynamic. Through its dedicated Chinese Desk, the bank provides Mandarin-speaking staff and culturally tailored financial services to support Chinese enterprises operating in the country. Its offerings include trade finance, foreign exchange services, and cross-border investment facilitation.
At the same time, Stanbic helps Tanzanian firms looking to source goods or engage in trade with China, reinforcing a two-way flow of commerce and investment.
“This tournament reflects the bigger story of inclusive growth,” said Ms Manase. “As we support Chinese enterprises in Tanzania, we also empower local businesses to tap into opportunities with China. It is about creating a balanced, sustainable ecosystem that benefits both sides.”
The collaboration also aligns with the government’s broader economic vision of attracting investment, strengthening the private sector, and fostering international partnerships. By hosting events that promote cultural exchange and informal dialogue, Chinese enterprises signal their commitment to being part of Tanzania’s long-term development journey.
As teams compete this week, the tournament will showcase more than athletic skill. It will symbolise the shared values and aspirations of two business communities working to deepen ties in ways that go beyond contracts and construction sites.
For players and spectators alike, the event is a reminder that partnerships are built not only in boardrooms and government offices but also on basketball courts, where teamwork and trust are tested in equal measure.
