Yiwu Market launched at EACLC to boost Tanzania-China trade

DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Aristides Mbwasi, has officially launched the Yiwu Market at the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Centre (EACLC) in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, describing it as a major step towards strengthening trade and economic cooperation between Tanzania and China.

Yiwu Market is named after Yiwu City in China’s Zhejiang Province, home to one of the world’s largest wholesale commodity markets. The model connects manufacturers and wholesalers with buyers by offering a wide range of consumer goods under one roof. The new facility at EACLC aims to bring that wholesale trading model closer to Tanzanian and regional businesses, reducing the need for traders to travel to China to source products.

Speaking during the launch, Mbwasi said the initiative reflects the commitment of the leaders of Tanzania and China to deepen trade, investment and economic diplomacy.

He commended the progress made by EACLC since it was inaugurated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan a year ago, noting that the centre has attracted traders from across Tanzania and several other countries. More than 190 shops have already been occupied, demonstrating growing investor confidence and increased business activity.

Mbwasi said the introduction of Yiwu Market will significantly reduce the cost of sourcing goods from China by making a wide range of products available locally. He added that all products sold at the market must meet standards certified by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) to protect consumers.

He also announced the establishment of a dedicated “Made in Tanzania” section within the market to promote and sell locally manufactured products to buyers from China and other international markets. In partnership with the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), the initiative is expected to expand exports of Tanzanian products, including agricultural commodities such as sesame and soybeans, which are already gaining demand in China.

Mbwasi said the market is not only an opportunity for Tanzania but also for the wider East African Community, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), positioning Dar es Salaam as a regional trade hub. He noted that EACLC hosts several government agencies, including the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), helping to streamline import and export processes and improve the ease of doing business.

EACLC Chairperson Lissa Wang said the opening of Yiwu Market will make it easier and more efficient for businesses from Tanzania and China to trade with one another.

Meanwhile, Ayubu Katuga, Chairperson of Traders at EACLC, said the market will further simplify trade, stimulate commercial activity and contribute to Tanzania’s economic growth.