By Business Insider Reporter
The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) has honoured institutions, companies and individuals whose contributions have shaped the growth of the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) over the past 50 years, recognising their role in transforming Sabasaba into one of Tanzania’s most important platforms for trade, investment and industrial development.
The recognition was presented during the Golden Jubilee Awards held as part of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of DITF, popularly known as Sabasaba, in Dar es Salaam.
The awards highlighted the collective contribution of government institutions, private sector players, manufacturers, traders, innovators and development partners whose participation has helped the exhibition evolve from a local trade showcase into an international marketplace connecting businesses, investors and consumers.
Speaking during the celebrations, Vice President Dr. Emmanuel Nchimbi said Tanzania’s ambition to attain upper-middle-income status will depend largely on building a competitive industrial economy driven by innovation, technology and value addition.
He said the Sixth Phase Government has placed industrialisation at the centre of its long-term economic transformation agenda, with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration implementing reforms aimed at improving the business and investment environment through better policies, strategic infrastructure development, institutional reforms and stronger private sector support.
“The government’s commitment is to build a competitive industrial economy that will propel Tanzania towards upper-middle-income status,” Dr. Nchimbi said, adding that sustained industrial growth would strengthen the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The Vice President said Sabasaba has grown beyond an annual exhibition into a strategic economic platform that has improved business competitiveness, expanded market access and strengthened links between producers, traders and consumers over five decades.
Looking ahead, Dr. Nchimbi challenged stakeholders to position Sabasaba among the world’s leading international trade fairs, supporting Tanzania’s ambition to become a continental hub for trade, investment, innovation and industrial development under the National Development Vision 2050 (Dira 2050).
He also called on local manufacturers to embrace the Made in Tanzania brand, saying a strong national identity for locally produced goods would enhance their visibility and competitiveness in African and global markets.
Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga attributed Sabasaba’s success to sustained collaboration between the government and the private sector, saying the exhibition’s growth reflects the confidence of investors, manufacturers and traders who have continued to expand production, improve quality and explore new markets.
“The achievements we celebrate today are the result of strong partnerships between the government and the private sector. Farmers, manufacturers, traders, development partners and innovators have all played an important role in making the exhibition a national and international business platform,” Ms Kapinga said.
She emphasised that continued cooperation between public institutions and businesses will remain critical in accelerating industrialisation, expanding exports and strengthening Tanzania’s participation in regional and global trade.
Earlier, TanTrade Director General Dr. Latipha Mohamed Khamis said Sabasaba has facilitated business and investment opportunities worth TSh129.2 trillion since its establishment five decades ago.
Dr. Khamis said the exhibition has become a vital economic promotion platform by connecting Tanzanian enterprises with investors, opening market opportunities and supporting the growth of local industries. She noted that the Golden Jubilee edition, held under the theme “Hii Ni Kubwa Kuliko!!” (This Is Bigger Than Ever), demonstrates the remarkable transformation of DITF and its growing importance in advancing trade, investment and industrial development.
