The Respondent Reporter, Osaka
Tanzania has once again taken the global stage to promote its diverse tourism offerings and investment potential, as Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa led celebrations to mark "Tanzania Day" at the ongoing Osaka World EXPO 2025 in Japan.
Representing President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Prime Minister Majaliwa underscored the deepening economic, diplomatic, and political ties between Tanzania and Japan.
He revealed that bilateral trade between the two nations had grown significantly, with Tanzanian exports to Japan rising from $7 billion in 2023 to an impressive $37 billion in 2024.
“Our cooperation with Japan continues to grow stronger. Japanese consumers have shown increasing interest in Tanzanian products such as tea, coffee, sesame, tobacco, Tingatinga paintings, wood carvings, sisal, cloves, and minerals,” said Majaliwa, addressing dignitaries and global investors at the Tanzanian Pavilion in Osaka.
The Prime Minister took the opportunity to invite Japanese investors—and those from around the world to explore Tanzania’s investment landscape, particularly in key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and tourism.
He emphasized that Tanzania offers a politically stable and economically conducive environment for long-term investment.
“Tanzania is not only rich in opportunities, but it is also a gateway to a market of over 400 million people. We border seven countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, making Tanzania a strategic trade hub in East, Central, and Southern Africa,” he said.
The country’s tourism potential, in particular, featured prominently in Majaliwa’s remarks.
With world-renowned attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Zanzibar’s pristine beaches, and rich cultural heritage sites, Tanzania continues to position itself as a premier destination for international travelers.
In his address, the Prime Minister also announced that the Tanzanian government is undertaking significant upgrades of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Fairgrounds (commonly known as Sabasaba) in Dar es Salaam.
The goal is to transform the facility into a world-class venue for hosting regional and international exhibitions and conferences, an initiative aligned with Tanzania’s broader vision of becoming a regional trade and investment hub.
The Osaka World EXPO 2025, which opened on April 13 and runs through October 13, marks the second time that the Japanese city has hosted the global exhibition. The first was held in 1970.
The Tanzanian delegation includes ministers, deputy ministers, permanent secretaries, senior officials from both the Union Government and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, and leaders of public institutions.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Majaliwa is scheduled to participate in a high-level business, investment, and tourism forum on Monday, May 26. The event will bring together business leaders from Tanzania and Japan to explore new partnerships. Additionally, the Prime Minister will hold bilateral talks with senior officials from the Japanese government, international development agencies, and CEOs of major corporations.
These meetings are expected to further cement Tanzania’s place as a promising destination for sustainable tourism and investment, aligning with the country’s broader development agenda under President Samia’s leadership.
As Tanzania continues to open its doors to the global community, events like the Osaka EXPO 2025 provide a critical platform to showcase not only the nation's natural beauty but also its readiness to engage meaningfully in global economic systems.