Samia: DITF spurs trade
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has hailed the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) for driving business growth and strengthening Tanzania’s position as a regional trade hub over the past 50 years.
Speaking yesterday at the opening of the 50th DITF in Dar es Salaam, President Samia said the annual exhibition has become a key platform connecting manufacturers, traders, investors and markets. The ceremony was attended by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo as the 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 started as small-scale traders have grown into successful business leaders through opportunities created by the fair. The President said DITF continues to provide traders, innovators and investors with opportunities to access markets, attract investment and expand their businesses.
She welcomed the growing international participation at the exhibition, including companies from Oman and Indonesia, noting that more than 20 firms from Oman are taking part in this year’s fair.
According to President Samia, the increasing international participation demonstrates Tanzania’s growing stature as a regional business hub and a gateway to the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). She urged exhibitors to embrace innovation and creativity to further elevate DITF as a globally competitive trade and investment platform.
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President Samia also commended President Chapo for honouring the event with his presence, saying it reflects the enduring diplomatic and economic ties between Tanzania and Mozambique dating back to the liberation struggle. She recalled that former Mozambican leaders have also officiated the fair over the years, including former President Filipe Nyusi, who graced the event in 2024.
“Today, President Chapo continues that legacy, symbolising the strong brotherhood and strategic cooperation between our two countries in trade and investment,” she said.
Earlier, Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TANTRADE) Director General Dr Latifa Mohamed Khamis said DITF has generated trade opportunities worth about 129.23tri/- over the past five decades, significantly contributing to economic growth and strengthening Tanzania’s position in regional and global markets.
She said the exhibition has attracted participants from 54 countries on 564 occasions, with more than 10.08 million visitors and over 38,000 exhibitors since its inception in 1976. Dr Khamis said the fair has created about 631,900 jobs over the past 50 years, with more than 21,000 additional jobs expected during this year’s event.
The 2026 exhibition is projected to generate instant sales and business deals worth 17bn/- through more than 3,752 transactions involving 4,800 exhibitors, while visitor numbers are expected to reach 624,380.
She also announced the launch of the Made in Tanzania brand, aimed at promoting locally manufactured products under a unified national identity and enhancing their competitiveness in international markets. Dr Khamis said DITF will continue supporting the implementation of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 by promoting trade, investment and economic diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga said the government aims to transform DITF into a platform where business meets technology, innovation meets investment and local enterprises connect with regional and global value chains through the Made in Tanzania initiative.
