Visitors flock to China pavilion at Tanzanian trade fair

DAR ES SALAAM — At the heart of the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair in Tanzania, a steady stream of visitors has been flocking to one of the event's busiest attractions — the China pavilion.

From high-tech agricultural machinery to sleek electric vehicles and advanced industrial technologies, the pavilion has drawn strong interest since the fair opened on June 28. Running through July 13, the annual event, popularly known as Sabasaba, has attracted thousands of visitors seeking new ideas, partnerships and business opportunities.

For Dawson Kahwa, a businessman from Dar es Salaam, the China pavilion offered more than a showcase of products — it provided a glimpse into the future.

"I have seen high-tech agricultural machinery such as irrigation pumps that could transform farming in Tanzania if adopted by our farmers," he said during China Day, an event highlighting China's trade, investment, technology and cultural cooperation with Tanzania.

Kahwa was among hundreds of visitors who thronged the pavilion on Monday, drawn to innovative technologies and practical solutions to local challenges.

Across the exhibition hall, displays of modern equipment and digital technologies showcased the breadth of China's industrial capabilities. Demonstrations of irrigation systems, agro-processing tools and smart technologies attracted particular interest from farmers, entrepreneurs and policymakers looking to improve productivity and efficiency.

Dennis Londo, Tanzania's deputy minister for industry and trade, underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships that deliver tangible benefits.

"As we celebrate China Day, let us renew our commitment to building stronger trade and investment partnerships that deliver real outcomes for our people," he said.

China has become one of Tanzania's key trade and investment partners, making significant contributions to the country's industrial growth, infrastructure development, technology transfer and job creation, he said.

'Transformative' policy

Londo also hailed China's zero-tariff policy for 53 African countries as a transformative opportunity.

"The zero-tariff arrangement provides our producers and exporters with direct access to one of the world's largest consumer markets," he said."It creates favorable conditions for Tanzanian products to compete more effectively and expand their presence in China."

Technology and innovation would be critical to enabling Tanzania to seize these opportunities, he added, calling for deeper cooperation with Chinese enterprises in advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, renewable energy and agro-processing.

Chinese Ambassador to Tanzania Chen Mingjian highlighted the strong and growing economic ties between the two countries.

"China has been Tanzania's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years," she said, adding that bilateral trade reached $5.12 billion in the first five months of 2026.

More than 300 Chinese companies operate in Tanzania in sectors including agriculture, manufacturing and tourism, contributing to the country's industrialization, she added.

Chen also noted the popularity of Tanzanian products among Chinese consumers, such as coffee, cashew nuts and gemstones, particularly at China's international trade expos.

She reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding opening-up and promoting trade liberalization, saying the efforts would create new opportunities for cooperation with Tanzania and Africa.

XINHUA