The Tanzania Trade Development Authority, or TanTrade, has stated that 24 memoranda of understanding executed through its trade platforms carry a combined value of 158.1 billion shillings. Daily News reported that these agreements were signed during the 2023/24 to 2025/26 financial years. Ambassador Ephraim Mafuru, the authority’s Director General, indicated that these commitments could strengthen local producer competitiveness and expand market access, provided they lead to actual orders and sustained sales rather than remaining on paper.
Daily News highlighted a specific opportunity arising from the 48th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, where a Chinese food company showed interest in buying 40,000 tonnes of cassava and sweet potatoes. The proposed transaction was valued at approximately 6 billion shillings, suggesting demand for Tanzanian agricultural produce abroad. However, the report noted that an expression of interest does not guarantee a confirmed purchase, and it remained unclear whether the order was finalized or delivered. Mafuru explained that finding an overseas buyer is just one step, as suppliers must also prove they can deliver consistent volumes, meet quality standards, and manage international transport costs.
Beyond trade fairs, TanTrade has worked to improve business readiness through capacity building. The authority ran 40 training sessions that engaged 7,593 traders in 16 mainland regions, plus the islands of Unguja and Pemba. These programs covered topics such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, access to Chinese markets, and product value addition. Additionally, the Made in Tanzania brand, introduced in July 2025, had registered 74 products from 40 firms by June 2026, an initiative aimed at enhancing product identification.
The Tanzania Trade Portal also attracted over 1.88 million visits and around 624,464 users, offering data on market prices and trading procedures. For the 2026/27 year, TanTrade has prioritized market integration, export support, and better trade intelligence. Daily News noted that progress will be measured by the conversion of these efforts into verified export contracts and repeat orders, with data on completed deals and realized sales showing how far reported opportunities translate into tangible economic returns.