Tanzanian entrepreneurs, especially young business owners and small-scale producers, are expected to gain greater access to international markets following the launch of a new government-backed centre designed to support business growth and exports.
Presenting the 2026/27 national budget in Parliament on Thursday, Finance Minister Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar announced the establishment of the Procurement and Export Support Centre, describing it as a strategic intervention to strengthen the business environment, promote local production and expand economic opportunities for Tanzanians.
The centre is expected to provide a range of services aimed at helping entrepreneurs, investors and small and medium-sized enterprises overcome some of the challenges that have long constrained business growth, including limited access to markets, production equipment and financing opportunities.
According to the minister, the facility will serve as a one-stop platform connecting local producers with domestic and international buyers while facilitating access to key resources needed to increase production and competitiveness.
“The centre has been established to support entrepreneurs, young people and investors by providing essential services that will help them expand their businesses, increase production and access new markets both within and outside the country,” Ambassador Omar told Parliament.
The move comes as Tanzania seeks to increase the contribution of the private sector to economic growth and create more employment opportunities through industrialisation and export-led development.
For many entrepreneurs, particularly those operating small and medium-sized enterprises, securing reliable markets remains a major obstacle. Limited access to export channels has often prevented businesses from scaling up despite growing demand for Tanzanian products abroad.
Government officials believe the new centre will help bridge this gap by linking producers to international markets and providing guidance on export requirements and opportunities.
The centre is also expected to facilitate access to business capital and investment opportunities, areas that many entrepreneurs have identified as critical to expanding their operations.
In addition, it will assist businesses in obtaining raw materials, machinery and other production inputs, helping improve productivity and efficiency across various sectors of the economy.
The government says the facility will also work to simplify import and export procedures, reducing delays and transaction costs that often undermine the competitiveness of local products in regional and global markets.
Economists have long argued that lowering the cost of doing business and improving access to international markets are essential for boosting exports and increasing foreign exchange earnings.
With Tanzania continuing to pursue an industrial economy driven by private-sector investment, innovation and value addition, the new centre is expected to play an important role in supporting businesses seeking to expand beyond local markets.
Youth entrepreneurs, start-ups and small-scale manufacturers are among the groups expected to benefit most from the initiative, which forms part of broader government efforts to ensure that economic growth creates opportunities for a larger share of the population.
The launch of the centre reflects the government's commitment to strengthening Tanzania's position in international trade while supporting local enterprises to become more competitive and resilient in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
