Tantrade moves to promote ‘Made In Tanzania’ brand in mineral trading

GEITA: THE Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) has announced plans to oversee the registration and branding of minerals produced in the country with the Made in Tanzania mark.

The initiative is part of the implementation of a campaign to promote the use of the Made in Tanzania brand on all products manufactured in the country, as part of efforts to strengthen Tanzania’s national identity internationally.

TANTRADE Business Promotion Manager, Deo Shayo, made the statement recently while speaking at a Made in Tanzania symposium held during the Mining Technology Exhibition in Geita.

He said TANTRADE’s objective was to ensure that minerals produced in Tanzania gain international recognition, strengthen the Tanzanian brand, boost the economy and stimulate investment and production.

“We intend to tell mineral producers and traders to take pride in selling their minerals carrying the Made in Tanzania mark.

“It would be embarrassing if some unscrupulous individuals produce minerals here and then agree to sell them abroad carrying the identity of other countries,” he  said.

Mr Shayo said Tanzanite, a rare gemstone produced exclusively in Tanzania, together with other minerals produced in large quantities, would be among those given priority under the initiative.

He also urged traders to take advantage of the opportunity to register their products under the Made in Tanzania brand, noting that about 85 per cent of TANTRADE’s services are currently offered online.

He said that over the past 10 months, about 120 types of products had been registered under the national brand, while further efforts were continuing to increase awareness and participation in the campaign.

“TANTRADE will ensure that we remain at the forefront by providing exhibition opportunities for everyone registered under Made in Tanzania, while promoting their products through our database.

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“TANTRADE will also open an international trade centre at Ubungo, where every registered trader will be given an opportunity to display samples of their products,” Mr Shayo said.

Meanwhile, Financial Analyst in the Gold Purchase Unit of the Financial Markets Directorate at the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), Glory Maembe, said the central bank had purchased 34 tonnes of gold worth 12.5 tri/- since 2024.

She said mineral sales had reached 7.78 trillions between January and June 2026, equivalent to about 66.5 per cent of the 11.7tri/- recorded throughout 2025, indicating significant growth in the mining sector.

She said mineral sales stood at approximately 7.2tri/-in 2021, when President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan came into office.

She said the initiative had increased the country’s foreign exchange reserves by 2.05 bn US dollars, equivalent to approximately 5.44tri/-, in less than two years, bringing total reserves to 6.03bn US dollars, equivalent to approximately 16tri/-.

The Vice Chairperson of the Tanzania National Chamber of Commerce (TNCC), Industry Department, Bertha Kombo, urged small entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Made in Tanzania branding opportunity to increase their international visibility.

Assistant Regional Administrative Secretary responsible for Economic and Production Affairs, Dr Elfas Msenya, said the Made in Tanzania campaign was building trust in Tanzanian products, improving their quality and enhancing their competitiveness.

He said the campaign was also promoting patriotism, protecting and adding value to locally available raw materials, as well as preventing Tanzanian products from being repackaged or misrepresented abroad.