In brief
Tanzania will send 36 enterprises and government institutions to the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, showcasing products such as coffee, tea and honey. The delegation follows China’s zero‑tariff policy for African trade partners and aims to deepen economic ties. The event is viewed as an opportunity for Tanzanian businesses to secure new partnerships and expand into the Chinese market.
On November 1, 2026, the Chinese Embassy in Dar es Salaam held a farewell ceremony to introduce Tanzania’s delegation of 36 enterprises and government institutions that will attend the ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai from November 5 to 10.
The delegation’s flagship products include coffee, tea and honey, with several exhibitors presenting samples during the ceremony. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dennis Londo said the expo offered Tanzanian businesses an important opportunity to showcase their products, establish partnerships and attract investors from China and other international markets.
Delegation and Products
Director of Trade Promotion at the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), Jonathan Nkwabi noted that 36 enterprises from the public and private sectors had been mobilised for the country’s participation, indicating a coordinated effort to promote Tanzanian products internationally.
At the ceremony, exhibitors displayed samples of coffee, tea and honey, the latter of which was highlighted as the first consignment to enter the Chinese market via Tanzania’s dedicated green channel for African agricultural products.
China’s Trade Incentives and Market Access
Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania, Chen Mingjian, said China’s zero‑tariff policy for African countries that maintain diplomatic relations was creating new opportunities for Tanzanian exporters. She added that China’s imports from Tanzania reached 290 million U.S. dollars in the first half of 2026, a 12 percent year‑on‑year increase.
Chen Mingjian further stated that 15 categories of Tanzanian agricultural products had been granted access to the Chinese market, and that 469 Tanzanian enterprises had registered to export agricultural and food products to China.
She encouraged Tanzanian businesses attending the expo to use the platform to establish commercial partnerships and bring more high‑quality local products to Chinese consumers.
Management and logistics support is also part of the delegation’s preparation. Cathy Wang, managing director of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center, reported that Tanzania’s participation grew from six enterprises in 2021 to 36 enterprises and institutions this year, reflecting growing interest among local businesses in the Chinese market. She added that her organization was working with TanTrade to help exhibitors meet Chinese buyers and understand market requirements.
Overall, the delegation’s objective is to boost exports and expand access to the Chinese market, leveraging China’s preferential trade policies and Tanzania’s growing agricultural and value‑added product sectors.
The ninth China International Import Expo in Shanghai is scheduled to run from November 5 to 10, providing a stage for Tanzanian producers and exporters to present their products to a broad international audience and secure new trade deals.
