Tanzania is using the 61st Maputo International Trade Fair (FACIM 2026) to promote locally made products and technologies, seeking to deepen access to Mozambique and other markets in the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), which is coordinating Tanzania’s participation, is showcasing a range of products carrying the “Made in Tanzania” brand at the week-long exhibition, which runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6.
The participation comes as Tanzania looks to broaden markets for domestic producers and move beyond trade that is concentrated in a limited number of destinations. Mozambique, with its links to markets in Southern Africa, provides an opportunity for Tanzanian manufacturers and businesses to build new commercial relationships and expand their regional footprint.
Visitors to the Tanzanian pavilion on the second day of the exhibition showed interest in a variety of locally produced goods, as well as technologies highlighting domestic innovation.
Among the innovations attracting attention are smart water meters that use a digital application to provide information on water consumption. Another technology showcased at the pavilion uses human hair to produce plant fertiliser, illustrating efforts to convert waste materials into productive agricultural inputs.
Beyond product visibility, trade fairs such as FACIM can give manufacturers an opportunity to identify buyers, distributors and potential business partners. For Tanzanian firms, sustained participation in regional exhibitions could therefore help turn product promotion into longer-term market access, provided businesses can meet demand in terms of quality, pricing, supply capacity and regulatory requirements.
The focus on locally developed technologies also points to a broader opportunity for Tanzania to strengthen the value of its exports. Products that incorporate technology and innovation can potentially offer greater commercial value than the export of unprocessed commodities, while creating opportunities for local manufacturing and skills development.
TanTrade said the exhibition was providing Tanzanian producers and traders with exposure to the Mozambican market and the wider SADC region.
The authority has invited visitors and potential business partners to the Tanzanian pavilion through Sept. 6 to explore locally made products, technologies and available trade opportunities.
Tanzania’s presence at FACIM therefore represents more than a promotional exercise. It offers local businesses a platform to test their products in a regional market, develop commercial partnerships and assess whether the growing emphasis on “Made in Tanzania” can translate into stronger exports and a broader regional market presence.