Dr Samia to bless Tanzania’s food vendors at the conference on April 11

DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIAN President Samia Suluhu Hassan is expected to be the guest of honor at a major national conference bringing together food vendors from across the country.

The event is scheduled to take place on April 11, 2026, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC).

Speaking to media outlets in Dar es Salaam, Food Vendors(Mamalishe) Chairperson Avijawa Omari said that through the UMALITA (Umoja wa Mamalishe na Babalishe Tanzania), they are calling on the government to formally recognize their group

Such recognition, she noted, would enable members to access loans and various economic opportunities to strengthen self-employment and create jobs for others.

She added that the conference will serve as an important platform for food vendors(Mamalishe and Babalishe) to directly present their challenges to government leaders, with the main goal of increasing income, expanding their businesses, and contributing to employment creation nationwide.

“We invite all food vendors to turn up in large numbers on April 11 at the Julius Nyerere Convention Centre so that we can collectively build the future of our businesses,” she said.

Ms Omari also highlighted that the conference will be held under the theme “Cook Smart, Dress Smart” (Pika Kishua, Vaa Kishua), aimed at promoting improved service standards and enhancing the professional image of food vendors across the country.

“We are self-employed and we feed the nation morning, afternoon, evening, and night. We urge society to recognize our contribution and respect our profession,” she added.

She further noted that the group has faced several challenges, including health risks and difficult working conditions.

However, they are now shifting toward the use of clean energy and improved cooking methods to protect their health and grow their businesses.

On his part, Babalishe (Male food vendors) representative Ngosha emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among members to achieve their shared economic and social goals.

The conference is expected to be historic, bringing together key stakeholders from the informal sector and top government leaders to discuss the future of employment and entrepreneurship in Tanzania.