DAR ES SALAAM: Tanzania is preparing to step back onto the global business stage as it takes part in the highly anticipated Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
Set to run from April 13 to October 13, this year, the six-month exhibition will spotlight the nation’s diverse attractions, business potential, and rich heritage.
The event promises to provide an exceptional platform for Tanzania to highlight its growth and ambitions in various sectors, positioning it as a prime destination for investment, tourism, and innovation.
The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), the official body responsible for coordinating the country’s participation in the Expo, has been working tirelessly to ensure that Tanzania’s involvement will make a significant impact.
TanTrade’s Director General, Ms Latifa Khamis, explained that Tanzania’s presence at the Expo will focus on promoting key sectors including health, energy, mining, agriculture, tourism and the burgeoning blue economy.
With a clear focus on economic transformation, the exhibition presents a unique opportunity for Tanzania to showcase its strengths and attract global business, investment, and partnerships.
“We are not leaving behind the government’s actively facilitating investment and business growth through strategic infrastructure projects, such as road, railway, airport, and energy developments,” Ms Khamis boldly stated.
This commitment is set to play a central role in the country’s broader vision of becoming a hub for trade, investment, and economic growth in the region.
Tanzania will be showcasing some of its most important products at the Expo, including coffee, tea, cashew nuts, sisal, cloves, seaweed, minerals and traditional crafts.
These products not only represent the country’s agricultural and natural wealth but also its thriving artisanal and cultural industries, which continue to captivate the global market.
The overarching theme of Expo 2025 is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” with sub-themes of saving lives, empowering lives, and connecting lives.
These themes are designed to inspire global dialogue about innovative solutions to the challenges facing societies worldwide, including issues of sustainability, technological advancement, and human well-being.
Tanzania’s participation will be under the sub-theme “Connecting Lives,” which aligns perfectly with the country’s objectives.
The national slogan, “Better Life, Better Tomorrow,” encapsulates the country’s aspirations to bridge global markets, enhance communication between people and products, and create lasting partnerships in business and culture.
Ms Khamis highlighted that Tanzania’s involvement in Expo 2025 would foster an environment conducive to growth and collaboration, both within the region and on a global scale.
“We aim to integrate production and markets, promote investment through partnerships, and enhance communication between people, products, and technology,” she explained.
This approach not only enhances Tanzania’s image as a business-friendly destination but also underscores the country’s forward-thinking development initiatives.
Tanzania’s participation in Expo 2025 is expected to unlock a range of significant benefits, both economically and diplomatically. One of the key outcomes anticipated is the opening of new business and market opportunities for Tanzania’s locally produced goods.
Expo 2025 will attract millions of international visitors, providing Tanzania with the perfect opportunity to showcase its products and services to a global audience.
This could lead to increased exports and direct foreign investment, particularly in key sectors like agriculture, tourism, mining, and energy.
In addition, the Expo will serve as a platform to highlight Tanzania’s government-led development projects, which require capital, partnerships, and investment.
These projects include major infrastructure developments such as transportation networks (roads, railways, airports) and energy generation projects, which are key to enhancing the country’s business environment.
Another significant benefit is the strengthening of Tanzania’s diplomatic and economic ties with over 160 participating countries.
The Expo will provide an invaluable opportunity for Tanzania to raise awareness of its cultural heritage, its diverse traditions, and its natural resources.
It is also an ideal space for fostering cultural exchange and boosting the global recognition of the Swahili language, one of Africa’s most widely spoken languages.
Ms Khamis further elaborated on the importance of the event in terms of tourism.
By attracting international tourists to the Expo, Tanzania aims to bolster its tourism industry, which continues to be one of the country’s most promising growth sectors.
The Expo provides a unique chance to showcase Tanzania’s breathtaking landscapes, rich wildlife, and vibrant cultural offerings.
Expo 2025 Osaka will be one of the largest international events of the decade, drawing an estimated 28.2 million visitors, with 3.5 million expected from outside Japan.
Tanzania’s exhibition space will cover 53 square meters, with an additional 15-square-meter commercial area to promote the country’s businesses.
As of March 2025, 120 countries had already confirmed their participation, and the number is expected to grow in the lead-up to the event.
A Senior Business Officer at Tan Trade, Mr Deo Shayo confirmed that registration numbers for Tanzanian businesses are steadily increasing, with many eager to participate in various sessions and programs during the Expo.
The government’s efforts to promote Tanzania’s participation have sparked significant interest among local entrepreneurs, who see the Expo as a unique chance to gain global visibility and expand their networks.
“We are optimistic that Expo 2025 will open new doors for collaboration in areas such as technology, sustainable development, and digital transformation,” Mr Shayo said.
By engaging with global businesses at the Expo, Tanzania hopes to foster strong trade relationships, promote its products, and secure foreign direct investment in various sectors of its economy.
For Tanzania, Expo 2025 represents more than just a chance to showcase its culture and resources; it is a critical platform for strengthening global partnerships and enhancing diplomatic ties.
As part of the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), Tan trade will work closely with other nations to ensure that Tanzania’s participation is impactful and fruitful.
The Expo offers a unique opportunity to align Tanzania’s growth trajectory with global development trends, while at the same time providing a space for cross-border innovation and collaboration.
Reflecting on past experiences, the last time Tanzania participated in an Expo held in Osaka was in 1970, where the nation made a lasting impression with the performance of Mzee Moris Nyunyusa, a blind Tanzanian drummer who stunned visitors by playing ten drums simultaneously.
‘**Maonesho Japan yalifana sana. Mataifa yote yalifurahi sana, banda la Tanzania limetia fora, Mzee Moris na ngoma zake kumi’ **
That event marked a pivotal moment in Tanzania’s history on the international stage, and Expo 2025 promises to build on that legacy, highlighting the country’s achievements and potential.
Tanzania’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka represents a transformative opportunity for the nation.
By engaging with the global community, showcasing its rich cultural heritage, and demonstrating its economic potential, Tanzania is set to make a significant impact at this prestigious event.
The Expo is not only a platform for promoting business and tourism but also a chance for Tanzania to forge lasting international partnerships, strengthen its global presence, and pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.
As Ms Khamis rightly noted, this is a pivotal moment for Tanzania to proudly represent itself on the world stage, building bridges that will enhance trade, investment, and cultural exchange for years to come.
