• Sabasaba trade fair is the largest of its kind across Africa.
  • Over 26 countries exhibiting in this years fair.
  • US envoy urges increased trade with Tanzania.

Sabasaba trade fair, the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), is currently underway in the commercial port city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Launched on the 28th June at the Mwalimu J. K. Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds located along Kilwa Road, south east of the city, the Sabasaba Trade fair is annual trade promotion event is organised by Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade).

This year’s Sabasaba trade fair has attracted an exemplary turn up of exhibitors and visitors alike, according to local press. The Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila has urged citizens and businesses to make the most of the economic and technological opportunities presented at SabaSaba.

Speaking during a visit to the fairgrounds at the start of the week, he emphasised the strategic importance of Dar es Salaam as a vital commercial hub for East and Central Africa.

Chalamila noted that Tanzania and the port city of Dar es Salaam in particular, has a unique position bordering several landlocked countries, including Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Malawi; “This geographic advantage makes Dar es Salaam a natural gateway for trade, boosting both regional influence and national income growth.”

He said SabaSaba, the DITF, offers businessmen in Dar es Salaam and across the country, the opportunity to create both direct and short-term employment, and serves to boost Tanzania’s broader economic, technological and social development aspirations.

The Regional Commissioner said the fair serves as a valuable platform to showcase Tanzania’s business  and trade capabilities and opportunities and called on exhibitors and visitors to be good ambassodors of the country’s opportunties.

To facilitate transportation, the RC announced that the city’s  Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services will run for longer hours and more routes throughout the 13-day event.

The extended routes cover key locations such as Mbezi, Kariakoo, Morocco, Posta, Mbagala, Mbande and Chamazi allowing for easier access to the Sabasaba grounds.

On his part, TanTrade Director General Latifa Khamis said the fair is expected to generate over 15,000 jobs; “This year’s event uses e-ticketing via mobile networks to simplify entry and reduce queues at the venue,” she announced.

Additionally, she said, exhibitors have the opportunity to showcase and sell their products via digital platforms, further supporting business growth and innovation in the region.

US envoy urges increased trade with Tanzania

In support of the Sabasaba trade fair, Acting Ambassador of the United States of America to Tanzania, Mr. Andrew Lentz, has conducted a working visit to the Mtwara Region, where he met with regional government officials and visited the Mtwara Port to inspect developments and economic opportunities in the area.

A media report released during his visit, says Ambassador Lentz met with the Mtwara Regional Commissioner, Colonel Patrick Sawala to who he expressed the U.S.A. government’s interest in Tanzania’s efforts to improve its investment climate.

He said the development intiatives he saw present promising opportunities for American investors to explore Mtwara as a viable investment destination.

“The investments made by the Tanzanian government to upgrade the Port of Mtwara continue to attract attention from international stakeholders and diplomats,” the diplomat noted and congratulated the government for its efforts.

On his part, Colonel Sawala said the meeting allowed for a review of areas of collaboration between the two countries, particularly in diplomacy and development. The media report says the RC emphasized that the Mtwara Region offers huge opportunities that could benefit international investors, especially in the port, agriculture, and industrial sectors.

Seconding the RC’s views, the Port Manager, Mr. Ferdinand Nyathi, stated that the Ambassador’s visit is a strong indication that the Port of Mtwara is recognized as safe and compliant with international regulations. He noted that the port stands as a good example of successful economic diplomacy in both the region and the country at large.

The government of Tanzania has invested heavily in the port’s expansion, which includes extending the quay and purchasing modern equipment to boost operational efficiency and capacity.

“Ambassador Lentz’s visit is expected to strengthen U.S.-Tanzania cooperation, particularly in the areas of investment, trade, and economic development,” reads the media release in part.

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Sabasaba trade fair, a decades old trade development vehicle

According to TanTrade, the first Sabasaba trade fair was held in 1963 to establish global business partnerships by facilitating trade missions, buyer-seller meetings and contact marketing programmes.

Ahead of and during the Sabasaba trade fair, which has led to the creation of a public holiday every July 7th in Tanzania, TanTrade gives out regular trade information and offers consultancy services to producers, exporters and importers to enable them to effectively participate in the global market place.

“Sabasaba, the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair has established itself over the years as the shop window for Tanzanian products as well as the East, Central, and the Southern African Region,” reads the press release shared by TanTrade.

The media communique explains that the Sabasaba trade fair is supported by the services of the Dar es Salaam harbor and fair acts as a one-stop center for reaching countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

“The fair enjoys patronage of the Tanzanian business community who both exhibit and use it as a forum for business exchange,” the report details.

It says, participation at the Sabasaba trade fair has been on the increase from a mere 100 companies in the the late eighties to over 1,041 companies in 1999, over 1,526 exhibitors as of 2006 and today stands as the largest trade exhibition in Africa attracting more than 3,500 local companies, 200 foreign companies, and 26 countries as of 2023.