TANZANIA’s trade with Japan has witnessed a major leap within a year, growing from $7bn in 2023 to $37bn last year, the government has indicated.

Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa made this observation at the Tanzania National Day event within the World Expo Osaka 2025, noting that the fivefold increase underscores the deepening economic ties between the two countries.

Addressing Expo participants from around the world who turned up for the event, the premier highlighted Tanzania’s improving presence on the international stage as a trading partner and investment destination.

The trade surge relates to increasing Japanese demand for Tanzanian exports, including tea, coffee, sesame and tobacco, apart from hand-painted Tingatinga artworks, wood carvings, sisal, cloves and an array of valuable minerals, he said.

“Japanese consumers and businesses deeply value Tanzanian products, and this has significantly contributed to the remarkable growth in bilateral trade,” he said.

Investors in Japan and across the world need to explore opportunities in priority sectors like agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, infrastructure and tourism, he said.

Tanzania is not only blessed with vast investment opportunities and fertile land but also enjoys peace, stability and favourable policies that welcome foreign direct investment, he stated.

He reiterated the country’s regional profile, positioned as a strategic gateway to east, central and southern Africa markets as it has access to seven countries with which it shares borders, he said. 

This makes the country a pivotal access point to reach over 300 million consumers he said, describing regional connectivity as providing a solid foundation for sustainable trade and investment partnerships.

He outlined plans to transform the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Trade Fair Grounds along Kilwa Road in Dar es Salaam into a state-of-the-art international venue, housing elevated regional and continental exhibitions to enhance business networking, he said.

Tanzania’s participation in the World Expo has been marked by vibrant cultural displays, a showcase of export-ready products and high-level engagements. The expo—hosted by Japan for the second time since the historic Expo ’70—is expected to draw millions of visitors and stakeholders before it concludes in October 2025.

The premier is today expected to participate in a Tanzania–Japan Business, Investment and Tourism Forum, bringing together leading private-sector actors from the host country and other institutions.

Bilateral meetings with Japanese government officials, international development partners and executives of major corporations to further enhance diplomatic and economic cooperation are also scheduled, officials said.

In 2023, Japan accounted for 4.29 percent of Tanzania's total imports, valued at $649m, with Japan among Tanzania's top ten import sources, especially for vehicles, machinery and electronic equipment.

While Japan plays a vital role in Tanzania's import landscape, it is not among the top five export destinations for Tanzanian goods, eclipsed by India, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, China and Switzerland,.

Overall, Japan's relationship with Tanzania is more prominent on the import side, supplying essential industrial and technological products that support Tanzania's development, analysts noted.