By Business Insider Reporter
The African Development Bank (AfDB), the Government of Tanzania, and the Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) have launched the US$63.2 million Tanzania Initiative for Preventing Aflatoxin Contamination (TANIPAC) – a strategic programme designed to protect agricultural exports, improve farmer incomes, and position Tanzania more competitively in regional and global food markets.
Launched recently in Dodoma, the initiative seeks to address aflatoxin contamination – one of the most significant non-tariff barriers facing African agricultural exports.
Aflatoxins, produced by moulds in crops such as maize, groundnuts, and rice, not only endanger public health but also block access to premium export markets where stringent food safety standards apply.
Funding is structured through a multi-partner framework: AfDB will contribute $US9.2 million, GAFSP US$20 million, while the Government of Tanzania has committed US$34 million.
“TANIPAC is not just a food safety project – it is an economic investment,” President Sania Suluhu Hassan said during the launch. “Our farmers must compete globally, and safe, high-quality produce is the ticket to higher-value markets.”
Unlocking new trade opportunities
By tackling aflatoxin contamination, TANIPAC directly strengthens Tanzania’s agribusiness potential, particularly in maize and groundnuts, which form the backbone of both domestic food security and export earnings.
The programme will invest in modern storage solutions, such as metal silos and solar dryers, along with training for more than 60,000 farmers across 20 councils on the mainland and in Zanzibar.
AfDB officials said the project would also support laboratory infrastructure, post-harvest value chains, and farmer cooperatives – critical enablers for ensuring Tanzanian produce meets international trade standards.
“With TANIPAC, Tanzania is effectively lowering one of the biggest barriers to trade in agricultural commodities,” said Philip Boahen, AfDB’s Lead Partnership Coordinator for GAFSP. “This investment allows farmers to move up the value chain, supplying regional markets and eventually global ones with confidence.”
Boost for agribusiness competitiveness
Agriculture contributes nearly 30 percent of Tanzania’s GDP and employs the majority of the workforce. However, aflatoxin-related crop losses and rejected shipments have cost farmers and exporters millions in lost revenue.
By reducing contamination, Tanzania is expected to improve export credibility, increase farmer incomes, and attract new agribusiness investment.
The initiative aligns with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 and Five-Year Development Plan, reinforcing the government’s broader ambition to establish the country as a hub for safe, reliable, and export-ready food products in East Africa.
Clepin Josephat, TANIPAC Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Agriculture, said the project is about ensuring long-term market trust. “This is about confidence – confidence for local consumers and international buyers. With TANIPAC, Tanzanian produce will not only feed our nation but also stand proudly in competitive global markets.”
