Tanzania is seeking to increase its share of the European Union market by attracting more investment and expanding its exports. The country's businesses are looking to meet the increasingly stringent international requirements on quality, traceability, and sustainable production. Recently, the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) held the EU–Tanzania Investment and Business Forum and Roadshow in Emilia Romagna, Italy, to promote stronger commercial links between local companies, European buyers, and investors.
According to the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, trade between the EU and Tanzania remains significant but is tilted in favor of the EU. In 2025, EU exports to Tanzania were valued at 1.18 billion Euro, compared with 956 million Euro in Tanzanian exports to the EU, resulting in a 224 million Euro trade surplus for the EU. This disparity highlights the need for Tanzania to increase its exports and improve its trade balance with the EU.
TanTrade Director of Trade Promotion, Mr. Jonathan Nkwabi, emphasized that market expansion, value addition, technology transfer, and innovation would be critical to improving the competitiveness of local businesses in international markets. He noted that roadshows generate interest by linking public and private sector stakeholders with EU businesses and investors, creating direct commercial links that could translate into export contracts, investment partnerships, and technology transfers.
For Tanzanian exporters to access European markets, they must meet buyer requirements on quality, traceability, and sustainable production while remaining price-competitive. Mr. Nkwabi viewed international market requirements as an opportunity to strengthen the capacity of local businesses. He stressed that the effort also aims to attract foreign technology and investment into domestic production, helping companies move beyond less-processed commodity exports and capture more value in global supply chains.
TanTrade is using various strategies to link local businesses with European buyers, investors, and technology providers, including business-to-business meetings, trade missions, market platforms, and market intelligence. Such links could lead to commercial contracts, joint ventures, and investment, giving local companies access to new markets, technology, and production capabilities. Small and medium-sized enterprises remain a key focus, given their limited access to finance, technology, and market information.
Mr. Nkwabi stressed the need for cooperation among the government, private sector, development institutions, and international partners to improve the business and investment environment. He noted that stronger EU trade ties could diversify export markets and attract capital and technology, but sustained growth would depend on meeting international standards and competing on quality, cost, and reliability.
The EU–Tanzania Investment and Business Forum and Roadshow in Italy is part of wider efforts to strengthen commercial ties with European markets, with higher exports, investment, and new business partnerships as key measures of progress. The forum aims to create opportunities for Tanzanian businesses to engage with European investors and buyers, ultimately increasing the country's exports and improving its economic ties with the EU.
Key points
- Tanzania seeks to increase its share of the EU market by attracting more investment and expanding its exports.
- The country's businesses must meet international quality standards to access European markets.
- Cooperation among stakeholders is crucial to improving the business and investment environment.
