DAR ES SALAAM: THE government is considering extending the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) by one day to July 14 to give more people, particularly those who have not yet visited the exhibition, an opportunity to attend and explore business, investment and networking opportunities.
Minister for Industry and Trade, Judith Kapinga said the government is assessing the proposal to allow more Tanzanians, especially those who were unable to visit during the working week, to attend the exhibition before it closes.
“We are looking at the possibility of extending the exhibition by one more day to allow more people to visit. Once a decision is made, we will communicate,” Ms Kapinga told journalists during a tour of the exhibition grounds yesterday.
She said the fair, organised by the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), has continued to attract visitors since opening on June 28, with the government closely monitoring activities.
“I have been visiting almost every day because one day is simply not enough to cover everything happening here,” she said.
Ms Kapinga said the exhibition has evolved beyond a product showcase into a key platform for technology transfer, investment promotion and market expansion for local businesses.
During the tour, she visited the NIDA Textile pavilion, where local manufacturers displayed cotton fabrics, kangas and leather products, before inspecting exhibitions on construction technologies, agribusiness innovations and automotive manufacturing.
Among the innovations showcased were locally produced compressed stone bricks that require neither plastering nor painting and are resistant to salt corrosion, making them suitable for use in coastal areas.
The minister also toured the SUMA JKT pavilion, where exhibitors displayed products ranging from agricultural machinery to aquaculture technologies, highlighting the growing diversification of Tanzania’s manufacturing sector.
The exhibition also showcased the country’s transition to cleaner transport technologies, with automotive companies displaying hybrid, fully electric and compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles capable of travelling up to 600 kilometres on a single tank.
Ms Kapinga said the innovations reflect the rapid transformation of Tanzania’s industrial sector while supporting the government’s drive to promote sustainable technologies.
She also commended the significant improvement in the quality, packaging and value addition of locally manufactured products, particularly processed agricultural goods, saying local producers are becoming increasingly competitive.
“There has been remarkable progress in value addition and packaging. Compared with previous years, the improvement is substantial, reflecting the government’s continued investment in strengthening domestic industries and empowering entrepreneurs,” she said.
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More than 3,800 local exhibitors are participating in this year’s fair, demonstrating the growing contribution of local enterprises to the country’s industrialisation agenda.
Ms Kapinga said extending the exhibition by one day will provide an opportunity for more people, particularly those unable to visit during the working week, to attend the fair, while giving exhibitors additional time to promote their products, establish business partnerships and explore new market opportunities.
The 50th DITF is being held under the theme, “Sabasaba 2026: Bigger Than Ever,” underscoring Tanzania’s commitment to accelerating industrialisation, promoting locally manufactured products and strengthening its position as a regional trade and investment hub.