Tanzania seeks bigger share of EU market
DAR ES SALAAM: MORE European investment and wider access to European Union (EU) markets are being targeted as local businesses seek to expand exports while meeting increasingly stringent international requirements on quality, traceability and sustainable production.
The push was highlighted during the EU–Tanzania Investment and Business Forum and Roadshow held recently in Emilia Romagna, Italy, where the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) called for stronger commercial links between local companies, European buyers and investors.
According to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, trade between the EU and Tanzania remains significant but is tilted in favour of the bloc.
In 2025, EU exports to Tanzania were valued at 1.18 billion Euro, compared with 956 million Euro in Tanzanian exports to the EU, resulting in a 224 million Euro trade surplus for the EU.
TanTrade Director of Trade Promotion, Mr Jonathan Nkwabi, said market expansion, value addition, technology transfer and innovation would be critical to improving the competitiveness of local businesses in international markets.
“Roadshows generate interest by linking public and private sector stakeholders with EU businesses and investors,” Mr Nkwabi said.
He said the engagements were intended to create direct commercial links that could translate into export contracts, investment partnerships and technology transfers.
For exporters, access to European markets will depend on meeting buyer requirements on quality, traceability and sustainable production while remaining pricecompetitive.
“International market requirements should be viewed as an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of local businesses,” Mr Nkwabi said during a panel discussion on linking local companies with international investors and buyers.
The effort also aims to attract foreign technology and investment into domestic production, helping companies move beyond less-processed commodity exports and capture more value in global supply chains.
Mr Nkwabi said TanTrade was using business-to-business meetings, trade missions, market platforms and market intelligence to link local businesses with European buyers, investors and technology providers.
Such links could lead to commercial contracts, joint ventures and investment while giving local companies access to new markets, technology and production capabilities.
Small and medium-sized enterprises remain a key focus, given limited access to finance, technology and market information.
Mr Nkwabi stressed the need for cooperation among the government, private sector, development institutions and international partners to improve the business and investment environment.
He said stronger EU trade ties could diversify export markets and attract capital and technology, but sustained growth would depend on meeting international standards and competing on quality, cost and reliability.
The Italy forum is part of wider efforts to strengthen commercial ties with European markets, with higher exports, investment and new business partnerships as key measures of progress.
