Tanzania’s export volume skyrockets, SADC leads 

DODOMA: TANZANIA has continued to make remarkable strides in boosting exports, a reflection of the government’s sustained efforts to enhance production and improve the business environment, the Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, told the Parliament today, May 14, 2025. Presenting his ministry’s 2025/26 budget estimates, Dr Jafo revealed that the value of …

DODOMA: TANZANIA has continued to make remarkable strides in boosting exports, a reflection of the government’s sustained efforts to enhance production and improve the business environment, the Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr Selemani Jafo, told the Parliament today, May 14, 2025.

Presenting his ministry’s 2025/26 budget estimates, Dr Jafo revealed that the value of goods sold to international markets has significantly increased over the past four years, resulting in a positive trade balance for the country.

He said exports to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) bloc rose from 1303.4m/- US dollars in 2021 to 2,968m/- US dollars in 2024, marking a 127.7 percent increase.

Exports to the East African Community (EAC) saw a modest increase from 1,161.2m/-  US dollars in 2021 to 1,163.8m/- US dollars in 2024.

The minister also reported notable progress under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with 21 Tanzanian products exported to 18 African countries by March 2025.

 These included sisal fibres, glassware, rice, and coffee, with major destinations being Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Algeria, and Djibouti.

According to statistics presented in Parliament, Tanzania’s exports to African countries reached 3,946.76m/- US dollars in 2024, up from 2,447.63m/- US dollars in 2021 — a 61.2 percent growth.

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“The increase has been driven by strong performance in exports of commodities such as coffee, tobacco, cereals, spices, and manufactured goods,” Dr Jafo explained.

In the United States market, through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Tanzania’s exports surged from 33.06m/- US dollars in 2021 to 85.4m/- US dollars in 2023, a growth of 158.3 percent.

Similarly, exports to the European Union climbed from 891.5m/US dollars in 2021 to 1,234.3m/US dollars in 2024, reflecting a 38.5 per cent rise.

However, the minister acknowledged a 2.9 per cent drop in exports to some Asian markets in 2024, attributing the decline to stiff competition from other exporting nations.

Despite this, he affirmed that Tanzania continues to benefit from growing demand for its produce, including avocados, coffee, tobacco, leather, and minerals.

On the challenges facing the sector, Dr Jafo said the government, through the Ministry of Industry and Trade, has managed to resolve 50 out of 64 non-tariff barriers (NTBs) identified in the last four years, easing trade flows and strengthening economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.