President Samia Suluhu Hassan has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding domestic and international markets for agricultural, livestock and fisheries products, as Tanzania seeks to improve producers’ access to reliable markets and raise productivity.
President Samia made the remarks on Saturday, August 8, 2026, while closing the National Nane Nane Agricultural Exhibition at the John Malecela Grounds in Nzuguni, Dodoma.
She said the Government would continue creating a favourable environment for local and international investors while strengthening market access for Tanzanian producers.
Her remarks come as investments in Tanzania’s sugar industry gather momentum, with Kilombero Sugar’s K4 factory expected to significantly increase domestic sugar production and contribute to efforts to reduce reliance on imports.
Speaking to the media during the Nane Nane exhibition, Kilombero Sugar Corporate Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Manager Victor Byemelwa said the K4 investment represents a major milestone for the company and the wider sugar industry.
He said the investment would increase sugar production while creating opportunities for farmers, businesses and communities involved in the sugarcane value chain.
“The K4 investment represents a major step forward in strengthening Tanzania’s domestic sugar production. Beyond increasing sugar output, it is creating greater opportunities for sugarcane farmers, employment, businesses and communities across the wider value chain,” Mr Byemelwa said.
He added that the investment could also increase electricity generation from sugarcane by-products, potentially strengthening the company’s contribution to the national power grid.
Mr Byemelwa urged Tanzanians, particularly farmers, to take advantage of the opportunities emerging from the expansion of the sugar industry by engaging in sugarcane farming and other related value-chain activities.
He said greater participation in the sector could raise household incomes, create employment and stimulate economic activity in communities surrounding sugar-producing areas.
Kilombero Sugar Corporate Affairs and Communications Director Derick Stanley said the company was also focused on expanding production to meet rising domestic demand and support the implementation of Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050.
According to Mr Stanley, the company expects to work closely with outgrower farmers who are projected to supply about 1.5 million tonnes of sugarcane, generating more than TZS 150 billion in income for farmers.
The projected earnings, he said, could strengthen household incomes while supporting economic activity in sugar-producing communities.
“We are continuing to invest in expanding production capacity and building the long-term resilience of Tanzania’s sugar industry. These investments are not only about producing more sugar; they are about strengthening the entire value chain, creating greater opportunities for farmers and supporting Tanzania’s industrial development,” Mr Stanley said.
The expansion of domestic sugar production comes at a time when Tanzania is seeking to strengthen local manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported products, particularly where domestic production can meet growing demand.
Kilombero Sugar Commercial Director Fimbo Butala said the company’s participation in the Nane Nane exhibition was aimed at bringing its products and services closer to consumers and agricultural stakeholders.
He said the exhibition had provided the company with an opportunity to engage farmers, customers and other stakeholders on sugar production, sugarcane farming and developments within the sector.
“Nane Nane provides an important platform for us to engage directly with farmers, customers and other agricultural stakeholders, understand their priorities and strengthen partnerships aimed at increasing productivity and creating greater value across the agricultural value chain,” Mr Butala said.
The K4 investment therefore comes at a critical point in Tanzania’s agricultural and industrial development agenda, linking increased sugar production with opportunities for farmers, employment, energy generation and broader value-chain development.
