The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) has urged hundreds of businesses, government agencies and foreign exhibitors to complete preparations for the country's flagship international trade fair on time, as authorities seek to showcase the East African nation's investment ambitions during the event's 50th anniversary.
TanTrade said the timely completion of exhibition stands is critical to presenting a professional image to international investors and business delegations expected at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), widely known as Sabasaba.
Speaking at a pre-exhibition seminar for exhibitors today, TanTrade Director General Dr. Latifa Khamis said this year's Golden Jubilee exhibition represents more than a commercial showcase, describing it as a platform that reflects Tanzania's growing role as a regional trade and investment destination.
"This exhibition is not simply about displaying products and services. It is where businesses benchmark themselves against competitors, learn new ideas, build partnerships, conduct market research and identify investment opportunities," she said.
The fair comes as Tanzania continues to position itself as a gateway to East and Central Africa, with the government promoting industrialisation, export growth and private sector investment to strengthen economic expansion.
Dr. Khamis said exhibitors should work closely with TanTrade officials to resolve logistical challenges before the exhibition opens, noting that unfinished exhibition stands diminish the overall image of an event intended to meet international standards.
She called on government institutions, ministries and private companies to modernise the design and presentation of their exhibition spaces, saying preparation should be completed before the official opening rather than continuing after visitors have begun arriving.
"We want this Golden Jubilee edition to demonstrate innovation, quality and standards worthy of an international exhibition," she said.
To encourage early compliance, TanTrade will award Certificates of Appreciation to companies that completed their exhibition stands ahead of schedule.
"My team should compile the names of all companies that finished their preparations on time. We will recognise them with Certificates of Appreciation for their commitment," Dr. Khamis said.
She also announced that the official judging of exhibition stands will begin on June 28, the opening day of the fair, with no postponement, saying the assessment forms part of internationally recognised exhibition practices.
"Those who have not completed their preparations should work through the night if necessary. The exhibition opens on schedule, and the judging exercise begins on the first day. There is no room for delays," she said.
The 2026 edition marks 50 years of the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, one of East Africa's largest annual business exhibitions, which brings together local and international companies, investors, manufacturers and trade promotion agencies seeking partnerships across the region.
For Tanzania, the Golden Jubilee fair is expected to serve as both a celebration of five decades of trade promotion and a test of the country's ability to present itself as an increasingly competitive destination for regional commerce and foreign investment.
