Dar es Salaam. More than 3,752 companies from Tanzania and abroad have registered to participate in this year's Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), popularly known as Sabasaba, as organizers prepare for a landmark 50th edition of the annual event.
The exhibition, organised by the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), will run from June 28 to July 13 and is expected to attract exhibitors from 23 countries, underscoring its growing importance as a regional hub for trade, investment and business networking.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on June 24, TanTrade Director General Dr Ratifa Mohamed Khamis said the number of exhibitors had increased from 3,670 recorded during last year's fair, reflecting rising interest from both local and international businesses.
"So far, 3,752 companies have registered to participate, compared to 3,670 last year. We are also expecting exhibitors from 23 countries, and some have already arrived while others are expected in the coming days," she said.
The 2026 edition carries added significance as it coincides with TanTrade's Golden Jubilee celebrations, marking 50 years since the institution was established.
Dr Khamis said preparations for the exhibition would begin with a participants' seminar on June 26, aimed at familiarising exhibitors with operational procedures, exhibition regulations and opportunities available during the event.
The seminar, she noted, is particularly important given the large number of foreign and local participants expected to attend.
"It provides an opportunity for exhibitors to understand the rules, procedures and support mechanisms available throughout the exhibition period," she said.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, TanTrade has organised a commemorative walk on June 27, which is expected to be led by Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Mussa Azzan Zungu, alongside officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, TanTrade management and members of the public.
The walk will begin at the Racecourse Grounds and end at TanTrade headquarters.
A fireworks display later that evening will officially launch the Golden Jubilee festivities and signal the start of the 50th edition of the country's largest trade exhibition.
The celebrations will culminate in a special Golden Jubilee Night on July 6, during which outstanding exhibitors, long-term participants and key stakeholders who have contributed to the growth of the fair over the years will be recognised through various awards.
This year's fair is being held under the theme, "The International Sabasaba Trade Fair is Tanzania's Pride," while a complementary message highlights the promotion of Tanzanian products and the expansion of digital trade.
Widely regarded as Tanzania's premier trade and investment showcase, the Sabasaba exhibition provides businesses with a platform to market products and services, attract investors, forge partnerships and access new markets across the region and beyond.
With exhibitor numbers reaching a record high and participation expected from more than 20 countries, organizers say the 50th edition is poised to be one of the largest and most significant in the event's history.
