The 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba) has generated TZS 3.9 billion in direct sales, while exhibitors secured potential export deals worth more than TZS 1.1 billion, highlighting the growing contribution of the annual exhibition to business growth and market expansion.
The figures were revealed by Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) Director General Dr Latifa Khamis during the closing ceremony of the exhibition, where she presented preliminary findings from an assessment conducted in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Dr Latifa said the results demonstrate that Sabasaba continues to serve as a key platform for connecting Tanzanian producers with buyers, investors and business partners from both domestic and international markets.
“More than 91.3 percent of exhibitors benefited commercially by securing new customers and business partnerships,” she said, adding that the achievement reflects increasing opportunities for Tanzanian products to penetrate regional and global markets.
The survey showed that locally manufactured goods dominated the exhibition, accounting for 58.6 percent of products displayed, while imported products represented 33.9 percent. Another 7.5 percent involved a combination of locally produced and imported goods.
The findings indicate continued growth of Tanzania’s manufacturing sector and increased participation of entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses through trade platforms.
Beyond sales and business connections, Dr Latifa said Sabasaba provided important public services, with thousands of visitors benefiting from government and private sector support.
She said 7,350 people received registration and identification services, 2,503 accessed healthcare services, 3,350 obtained banking and financial services, while 23,755 people benefited from business advisory services through the Business Clinic programme.
She added that 92 percent of visitors expressed satisfaction with the organisation and services offered during the exhibition, with many indicating their willingness to attend future editions.
Dr Latifa attributed the success of the 50th Sabasaba edition to cooperation between the government, private sector and other stakeholders, saying the exhibition remains an important avenue for promoting investment, industrialisation and entrepreneurship.
She thanked President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Zanzibar’s Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development, exhibitors and other partners for supporting the event.
Meanwhile, the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center (EACLC) said its participation in Sabasaba has strengthened commercial ties between China and East Africa, with more than 700 Chinese manufacturers participating in the exhibition since 2021.
EACLC representative Lissa Wang said the company established the China Pavilion at Sabasaba to create opportunities for Chinese manufacturers to showcase products and technologies while exploring partnerships with Tanzanian and regional businesses.
She said the platform has resulted in the signing of several business agreements and investment partnerships aimed at connecting China’s industrial capacity with opportunities in East Africa.
Wang said EACLC is also working to support Zanzibar’s ambition of becoming a regional trade and logistics hub through investments in a bonded warehouse and a cross-border product distribution centre.
“Our goal is to support Tanzania and Zanzibar in becoming a leading cross-border trade hub serving East Africa and the SADC region,” she said.
The 50th Sabasaba exhibition has once again demonstrated its role as a bridge between producers, consumers and investors, providing Tanzanian businesses with opportunities to grow, create jobs and access wider markets.
