Dar es Salaam. Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) and the Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC), has unveiled plans to attract a local or foreign investor to redevelop the iconic Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds, widely known as Sabasaba Grounds, into a modern business and commercial hub.
The project, estimated at $322 million, aims to transform the nearly 50-year-old facility into a year-round international exhibition and business center, positioning Tanzania as a regional trade and investment gateway.
Speaking to the media on Monday in Dar es Salaam, TanTrade Director General Ms. Latifa Khamis said the redevelopment will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework, inviting both domestic and foreign investors to participate.
“The project will introduce world-class infrastructure, including modern business exhibition centers, hotels, entertainment facilities, commercial buildings, digital platforms, and open spaces for trade fairs,” Ms. Khamis explained.
She emphasized that, unlike its current seasonal operation, the upgraded facility will run 24 hours a day, hosting international exhibitions, regional trade summits, and industrial fairs for blocs such as the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“Our ambition is to create a facility that mirrors global business expo hubs, enabling Tanzania to host large-scale international exhibitions throughout the year,” she said.
Built nearly five decades ago, the Sabasaba Grounds currently serve as the venue for Tanzania’s annual international trade fair, but much of its infrastructure is now outdated.
The government views the redevelopment as a strategic move to align with its broader Vision 2050 agenda, which aims to position Tanzania among the world’s most competitive emerging economies.
Ms. Khamis urged interested investors to submit applications promptly, noting that construction must commence within 18 months of contract signing, with full completion expected within two years.
“My personal hope is that the upgraded facility will be operational ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), allowing Tanzania to showcase its business capabilities to the continent and beyond,” she said.
PPPC Founding Executive Director Mr. David Kafulila applauded TanTrade for adopting the PPP model, stating that it offers Tanzania an opportunity to leverage private sector capital, advanced technology, and management expertise.
PPPC, according to Mr. Kafulila, will guide TanTrade on attracting and do business with private sector through PPPs model.
“This project comes at the right time as Tanzania works towards becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2050,” he said. “To achieve that target, the country needs globally competitive industrial, manufacturing, and service sectors. A world-class trade fair facility will be instrumental in driving exports, attracting investment, and promoting regional integration.”
Mr. Kafulila also emphasized that PPPs enable the government to allocate its limited public funds toward critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, while private partners take on the financial burden of commercial projects.
Once completed, the new Sabasaba complex is expected to become one of Africa’s leading trade exhibition centers, enhancing Dar es Salaam’s role as a major commercial hub and strengthening Tanzania’s global economic footprint.