In brief
Tanzania will send 36 enterprises and government institutions to the ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai, seeking to showcase products like coffee, tea and honey and secure new partnerships. Delegation was announced in Dar es Salaam and highlights China’s zero‑tariff policy for African trade, with imports from Tanzania reaching $290 million in early 2026. Officials expect the event to open doors for joint ventures and expand Tanzania’s presence in the Chinese market.
A delegation of 36 Tanzanian enterprises and government institutions will travel to Shanghai for the ninth China International Import Expo (CIIE) scheduled for November 5‑10, as the country seeks to boost exports and expand its access to the Chinese market.
The delegation was introduced in a farewell ceremony organized by the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam on Saturday, where exhibitors displayed products such as coffee, tea, and honey, showcasing the breadth of Tanzania’s agricultural produce.
Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Dennis Londo said the expo offers Tanzanian businesses an important opportunity to showcase their products, establish partnerships, and attract investors from China and other international markets.
Jonathan Nkwabi, Director of Trade Promotion for the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), noted that the 36 enterprises from the public and private sectors had been mobilized to promote Tanzanian products abroad, demonstrating a coordinated national effort.
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian highlighted China’s zero‑tariff policy for African countries maintaining diplomatic ties, creating new opportunities for Tanzanian exporters. She said China’s imports from Tanzania reached $290 million in the first half of 2026, up 12 percent year on year.
She added that the first consignment of Tanzanian honey entered the Chinese market through a dedicated “green channel” for African agricultural products, and that 15 categories of Tanzanian agricultural products had been granted market access while 469 Tanzanian enterprises had registered to export agricultural and food products to China.
China’s zero‑tariff preference, applied to any African nation that maintains diplomatic ties with the People's Republic, removes barriers on a broad array of goods. This policy encourages Tanzanian exporters to move beyond raw coffee and tea to value‑added products such as processed foods, ready‑to‑eat snacks and niche artisanal items that appeal to discerning Chinese consumers.
Chen Mingjian noted that 15 categories of Tanzanian agricultural products now have market access in China, and that 469 Tanzanian enterprises have registered to export agricultural and food items. These figures indicate a rapid scaling of the country’s export capacity and a growing confidence in its supply chains.
The first consignment of Tanzanian honey entered the Chinese market through a dedicated “green channel” for African agricultural products. This channel, designed to streamline quality checks and reduce delivery times, signals China’s commitment to supporting African exporters with efficient logistics and regulatory facilitation.
Officials in Dar es Salaam expect the expo to launch further trade collaborations, spur joint ventures and strengthen ties that could integrate Tanzanian goods into Chinese manufacturing and retail ecosystems, creating new opportunities for local producers and boosting the country’s export profile.
