The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) on Friday hosted a high-level delegation from the Embassy of Ethiopia in Tanzania, led by Abdulkarim Mulu, the State Minister for Trade and Regional Integration of Ethiopia.
The visit, which took place at TanTrade’s headquarters located at the Mwl. J.K. Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds along Kilwa Road in Dar es Salaam, marked a significant step towards fostering regional cooperation and knowledge exchange in the area of trade development.
The Ethiopian delegation expressed keen interest in understanding the strategies that Tanzania has adopted to promote and grow its domestic and international trade, especially through TanTrade’s initiatives.
The meeting served as a platform for dialogue on best practices in trade promotion, market access, regional integration, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking during the engagement, Abdulkarim Mulu applauded TanTrade for its notable contributions to the growth of Tanzania’s trade sector.
He emphasized that Ethiopia is currently implementing a range of reforms aimed at strengthening its trade systems and infrastructure, and that Tanzania’s experience offers valuable lessons that can support Ethiopia’s journey towards a more vibrant and inclusive trade environment.
“We have observed with admiration how Tanzania, through TanTrade, has managed to establish platforms for market linkages, such as trade fairs and exhibitions, while also strengthening partnerships with the private sector. We believe that by learning from TanTrade’s experience, Ethiopia can enhance its trade policy implementation and provide greater support to its local businesses,” said Mulu.
On her part, TanTrade’s Acting Director General, Ms. Mary Assey Mkuya, welcomed the Ethiopian delegation and reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to sharing knowledge and building regional partnerships.
She outlined TanTrade’s key areas of focus, including facilitating domestic and international market access for Tanzanian products, supporting SME development, organizing trade fairs such as the Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), and enhancing value addition in local industries.
“Our mandate at TanTrade is to promote Tanzania’s trade both within the country and beyond our borders. We are pleased to host our counterparts from Ethiopia and to share with them the strategies that have contributed to our successes,” said Ms. Assey.
She noted that such visits not only strengthen bilateral relations but also contribute to the broader vision of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to boost intra-African trade by removing trade barriers and enhancing cooperation among African nations.
During the meeting, technical teams from both countries engaged in in-depth discussions on how to streamline trade promotion, improve logistics, and build the capacity of institutions involved in trade.
The Ethiopian team also had the opportunity to tour some of TanTrade’s facilities and learn about digital platforms being used to connect local producers with regional and international markets.
The visit concluded with both parties expressing a strong interest in continuing collaboration, including the possibility of future exchange programs, joint trade missions, and participation in regional trade events.
The engagement between Ethiopia and Tanzania through TanTrade is a reflection of Africa’s growing commitment to shared growth through learning and collaboration.
It also underscores the importance of building resilient and inclusive trade systems that support economic development across the continent.