India has become Tanzania’s fourth-largest international trade partner, with trade volume reaching over TSh10 trillion ($4.2 billion), according to the Tanzania Investment and Special Economic Zones Authority (TISEZA).
Speaking today during India Business Day at the ongoing 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), TISEZA Director General Gilead Teri said India now ranks behind China, Europe, and the United States in terms of trade volume with Tanzania.
“This is a significant milestone. India has strong potential to become Tanzania’s second-largest trade partner in the coming years, after China,” he said.
According to TISEZA, there are now 937 Indian companies operating in Tanzania, employ more than 67,000 Tanzanians and are present in various sectors including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and energy.
Mr. Teri said Indian investments are delivering five key benefits to Tanzania: job creation, increased tax revenues, the introduction of new products, access to new technologies, and a direct contribution to poverty reduction.
Trade between the two countries has shown steady growth over the past few years. Indian investors are increasingly interested in Tanzania’s agriculture, health, technology, and innovation sectors.
On her part, TanTrade Director General Latifa Khamis said India has now hosted India Business Day for three consecutive years at the DITF.
“The number of Indian exhibitors has grown over the years—from 45 in the 47th edition to over 70 this year,” said Ms. Khamis. She encouraged Tanzanian entrepreneurs to engage in joint ventures with Indian companies, especially in high-potential sectors.
In another development, Tanzania’s Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA) has signed a cooperation agreement with India’s Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (LUVAS).
The agreement aims to strengthen collaboration in research, training, academic exchange, and project development, particularly in the livestock sector.
SUA’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Amandus Muhairwa, said the agreement will enable Tanzanian experts, especially veterinary lecturers, to gain hands-on training in Indian animal hospitals.
“Through this partnership, we expect to improve our capacity in modern technologies such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer,” said Prof. Muhairwa.
He noted that the agreement could help SUA adopt advanced livestock techniques, including pre-selecting the gender of calves, something the university has not been able to do so far.
On his side, LUVAS Vice Chancellor Prof. Naresh Jindal said the partnership will open opportunities for joint research on animal diseases affecting both countries. He said sharing knowledge and expertise would help develop sustainable solutions for farmers and researchers alike.
The agreement is part of SUA’s broader efforts to strengthen international cooperation and improve the quality of agricultural and veterinary education in Tanzania.