By Business Insider Reporter
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) successfully hosted Korea Business Day in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of this year’s Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) – the largest annual trade event in the country.
The initiative aimed to strengthen economic partnerships between Korea and Tanzania while introducing Korean consumer goods and culture to East African markets.
Held at the Korea Pavilion within the DITF grounds, the event featured 25 Korean companies and five Tanzanian partner firms, engaging in export consultations and displaying a range of Korean consumer products – from cosmetics and electronics to processed foods and lifestyle goods. It also showcased Korea’s dynamic cultural offerings, drawing large crowds with K-pop performances, Hanbok fashion experiences, and Korean food tasting sessions, which highlighted the growing popularity of K-culture in Tanzania.
“We hope this event will serve as a stepping stone for Korea and Tanzania to advance beyond economic cooperation toward a sustainable and inclusive partnership,” said Jang Choong-sik, Head of KOTRA’s Africa Regional Headquarters.
Strategic timing
The event comes at a strategically important time, as Tanzania is the first African country with which Korea has launched negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
The EPA is expected to pave the way for deeper trade liberalisation, technical cooperation, and market access for both sides.
Tanzania is also the largest cumulative recipient of Korea’s official development assistance (ODA) in Africa, reflecting a longstanding relationship in sectors such as infrastructure, education, health, ICT, and agriculture.
Over the past two decades, Korea has supported major projects in Tanzania through its development agencies, including KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), with a focus on capacity-building and technology transfer.
Additionally, Tanzania’s abundant reserves of critical minerals such as graphite, nickel, and rare earths – essential for Korea’s electric vehicle and battery industries – have positioned the country as a strategic partner in global supply chains.
With global demand rising for clean energy technologies, Korean firms are increasingly viewing Tanzania as a stable, resource-rich investment destination.
Win-win approach
For Korean companies seeking to expand in Africa, Tanzania serves as an ideal gateway due to its fast-growing consumer market, strategic coastal location, and strong regional integration within the East African Community (EAC).
KOTRA’s event provided a platform for Korean brands to test market preferences, build local partnerships, and explore distribution opportunities in the region.
Many Tanzanian businesses and consumers expressed keen interest in Korean innovation and quality standards.
“This is more than just business. It’s a fusion of technology, culture, and partnership,” said Amina Mshana, a Tanzanian entrepreneur who attended the event. “I’m already exploring how to bring Korean skincare products into my retail outlets.”
A model for future engagement
The success of Korea Business Day aligns with Korea’s mbroader “Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC)” strategy, which seeks to deepen ties with the continent through investment, trade facilitation, and sustainable development. It also complements Tanzania’s national industrialisation and digitalisation agenda under the Vision 2025 framework. Moving forward, KOTRA has signalled plans to expand its presence in East Africa by supporting Korean SMEs and investors, as well as launching joint innovation and skills development programmes in partnership with Tanzanian institutions.
