The Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) was established under the Tanzania Trade Development Authority Act No. 4 of 2009, to replace the External Trade Board Act No. 5 of 1978 and the Internal Trade Board Act No. 15 of 1973. With these legislative changes, TanTrade was mandated to oversee and regulate all activities related to both domestic and international trade—responsibilities that had previously been carried out by the External Trade Board and the Internal Trade Board.
The establishment of TanTrade was intended to strengthen coordination, enhance efficiency, and promote Tanzania’s participation in international trade while simultaneously advancing domestic trade.
The enactment of the Tanzania Trade Development Authority Act No. 4 of 2009 was a significant step in reinforcing the trade reform process. Through this Act, TanTrade was entrusted with the long-term responsibility of developing domestic and international trade, as well as managing international trade fairs held in Tanzania.
TanTrade is the national institution with the mandate to promote and develop trade both within and outside the country. Its primary objective is to address challenges faced by traders, exporters, and producers of goods and services.
Following its launch in 2010, TanTrade has undertaken restructuring processes to meet its broad responsibilities of strengthening and promoting domestic and international trade. TanTrade has also been tasked with managing international trade fairs held in Tanzania as well as promoting imports and exports. These responsibilities were transferred from the Internal Trade Board (BIT) and the External Trade Board (BET), and consolidated under one national authority to improve efficiency, coordination, and the trade sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Significant efforts have been directed towards repositioning TanTrade by defining its Vision, Mission Statement, and Core Values. These measures aim to address various operational challenges in the trade sector, particularly those arising from changes in the global trade environment, and the need to strengthen this sector to enhance its contribution to national economic growth.
TanTrade aspires to be a major contributor to the achievement of the Tanzania Development Vision 2025 by ensuring that the trade sector becomes efficient, competitive, and positively impactful in socio-economic development. Ongoing reviews of its functions and organizational structure are designed to provide the Authority with a strengthened framework that enables the delivery of high-quality public services and the realization of the intended outcomes.
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