Industry and Trade Minister Judith Kapinga told parliament that export revenues reached $10.08 billion in 2025, up from $8.70 billion a year earlier.
She attributed the increase to government measures aimed at improving the business climate, widening access to foreign markets and increasing the competitiveness of Tanzanian products.
“These achievements are a result of continued efforts to improve the business environment, expand markets for Tanzanian products and implement strategies to enhance competitiveness in global trade,” Kapinga said while presenting the ministry’s 2026/27 budget proposals.
Key exports included sesame, tobacco, coffee, cotton, avocados, fish and minerals such as gold, alongside industrial products including coal, tiles and iron sheets.
Imports rose by 2.2% to $16.03 billion in 2025 from $15.68 billion in the previous year, driven largely by purchases of technology-related goods, vehicles, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery.
Exports to the European Union climbed 37.5% to $943.8 million, supported by rising demand for organic products and improved product standards, Kapinga said.
Shipments to regional markets also increased, with exports to East African Community member states rising 8.7% to $1.26 billion, while exports to Southern African Development Community countries grew 19.4% to $3.55 billion.
Trade with Asian markets, including China, India and Japan, expanded as exports rose 13.1% to $3.21 billion, driven by stronger demand for sesame, cocoa and avocados.
However, imports from Asian countries surged 83% to $10.09 billion, reflecting increased demand for transport equipment, petroleum products, vehicles and railway materials.
Kapinga said Tanzania continued to benefit from China’s preferential trade arrangement, under which 98% of Tanzanian exports to China qualify for duty-free access.
Notes to Editors
– The story supports the government’s broader industrialisation and trade competitiveness narrative, but the economy remains substantially import-dependent.
– Export growth is broad-based, though still concentrated in agricultural commodities and minerals; value-added manufacturing remains comparatively smaller.
– The 83% increase in imports from Asia may indicate infrastructure expansion and industrial investment, but also reinforces external dependency on machinery and fuel.
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