DAR ES SALAAM: President Samia Suluhu Hassan has hailed the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) as one of Tanzania’s most important platforms for promoting business, attracting investment and strengthening the country’s position as a regional trade and investment hub.
Opening the 50th edition of the annual exhibition in Dar es Salaam on Friday, President Samia said the fair has, over the past five decades, connected manufacturers, traders, investors and consumers, creating opportunities that have transformed businesses and contributed significantly to the country’s economic development.
The event was attended by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who graced the ceremony as Guest of Honour.
“For the past 50 years, this trade fair has served as an important bridge linking manufacturers with buyers, traders with markets, investors with business opportunities and Tanzania with the rest of the world,” President Samia said.
She noted that many entrepreneurs who began as small-scale exhibitors at DITF have expanded into successful businesses by taking advantage of the opportunities created through the annual exhibition.
According to the President, DITF continues to provide entrepreneurs, innovators and investors with an ideal platform to showcase products, access new markets, establish business partnerships and attract investment.
She also welcomed the growing international participation at this year’s exhibition, noting that companies from several countries, including Oman and Indonesia, are exhibiting their products and services. More than 20 companies from Oman are participating in this year’s fair.
President Samia said the increasing international presence reflects Tanzania’s growing reputation as a preferred destination for trade and investment and a strategic gateway to the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) markets.
She urged exhibitors to embrace innovation, technology and creativity to further strengthen the exhibition and enhance its competitiveness on the global stage.
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The President also commended President Chapo for attending the event, saying his participation underscores the longstanding friendship and growing economic cooperation between Tanzania and Mozambique.
She recalled that former Mozambican leaders, including former President Filipe Nyusi, have previously officiated at the trade fair, describing President Chapo’s visit as a continuation of the strong historical and diplomatic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
Earlier, Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) Director General Dr Latifa Mohamed Khamis said the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair has facilitated business opportunities worth approximately 129.23 trillion shillings over the past 50 years, making it one of the country’s most influential trade promotion platforms.
She said since its establishment in 1976, the fair has hosted participants from 54 countries on 564 occasions, attracting more than 10.08 million visitors and over 38,000 exhibitors.
According to Dr Khamis, the exhibition has generated approximately 631,900 jobs over the past five decades, with an additional 21,000 jobs expected to be created during this year’s event.
The 2026 edition is projected to generate business transactions and direct sales worth about 17 billion shillings through more than 3,752 deals involving 4,800 exhibitors. Visitor numbers are expected to reach 624,380.
Dr Khamis also announced the launch of the Made in Tanzania brand, a new initiative aimed at promoting locally manufactured products under a unified national identity while enhancing their competitiveness in regional and international markets.
She said the initiative supports the implementation of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 by promoting trade, industrialisation, investment and economic diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga said the government is working to transform DITF into a modern business platform where innovation, technology and investment converge, enabling Tanzanian enterprises to connect with regional and global value chains through the Made in Tanzania initiative.
