DAR ES SALAAM, July 7 (Xinhua) -- On Monday, at the heart of the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair, a steady stream of visitors flows into one of the most vibrant sections of the exhibition grounds, the China pavilion.
From high-tech agricultural machinery to sleek electric vehicles and advanced industrial technologies, the pavilion has been a focal point since the fair opened on June 28. Running through July 13, the annual event, popularly known as Sabasaba, has drawn thousands of visitors eager to explore new ideas, partnerships, and opportunities.
For Dawson Kahwa, a businessman from Temeke district in the port city of Dar es Salaam, the China pavilion offered more than just a display of products, but it was 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," Kahwa told Xinhua during China Day, a special promotional event of the trade fair dedicated to showcasing China's trade, investment, technology, and cultural cooperation with Tanzania.
Kahwa was among hundreds of visitors who thronged the pavilion on Monday, drawn by the promise of innovation and the possibility of practical solutions to local challenges.
Across the exhibition space, rows of modern equipment and digital technologies illustrated 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 seeking to boost productivity and efficiency.
China Day, held as part of the trade fair, provided a platform for government officials, business leaders and investors from both countries to reflect on the progress of bilateral cooperation and explore new avenues for growth.
Dennis Londo, Tanzania's deputy minister for industry and trade, emphasized 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.
He noted that China has become one of Tanzania's most important trade and investment partners, contributing significantly to industrial growth, infrastructure development, technology transfer and job creation.
He also highlighted the significance of China's recent zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Tanzania, describing it 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, he added, will be critical in enabling Tanzania to fully benefit from these opportunities. He called for deeper cooperation with Chinese enterprises in areas such as 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 U.S. dollars in the first five months of 2026.
Chen noted that more than 300 Chinese companies are currently operating in Tanzania across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and services, contributing to the country's industrialization.
Chen also pointed to the popularity of Tanzanian products such as coffee, cashew nuts and gemstones among Chinese consumers, particularly at international trade expos in China.
She reaffirmed China's commitment to expanding openness and promoting trade liberalization, emphasizing that such efforts would create new opportunities for cooperation with Tanzania and the broader African continent.
Wang Xiangyun, chairperson of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center (EACLC), the main sponsor of the 50th DITF, said the China-Tanzania partnership is one rooted in shared vision and mutual benefit.
"DITF is more than an exhibition," she said. "It is where ideas become partnerships, partnerships become investments, and investments create jobs. Over the past six years, EACLC has organized more than 700 Chinese enterprises at Sabasaba, successfully helping many establish local factories to drive Tanzania's manufacturing sector."
This year, the China Pavilion spotlights "New Energy, High-Tech, and Eco-Friendliness". Indoors, it features LED optoelectronics, solar photovoltaic equipment, water purification, and medical equipment. Outdoors, a specialized "Smart Manufacturing from China" pavilion showcases engineering machinery, agricultural equipment, electric vehicles, and motorcycles.
Wang expressed high confidence in Tanzania's strategic assets, noting that EACLC, officially opened on Aug. 1, 2025, is concrete proof of this potential. With an investment approaching 200 million U.S. dollars, the 75,000-sqm complex features over 2,000 shops and 1,000 parking spaces, hailed by local media as a pivotal national commercial project.
"We are building a multi-functional bridge between China and East Africa," Wang said.
Participation from Chinese provinces such as Shandong further underscored the depth of economic engagement.
Wang Hong, deputy director general of the Department of Commerce of Shandong Province, said the province's strong manufacturing base aligns well with Tanzania's industrialization needs.
"Shandong has a complete industrial chain covering sectors such as agricultural machinery, automobiles, and textiles," she said. "These strengths complement Tanzania's development priorities."
She noted that trade between Shandong and Tanzania has grown rapidly, driven by increasing demand for Tanzanian products and expanding Chinese investment.
The province has also supported infrastructure and industrial projects in Tanzania, contributing to improvements in transportation, healthcare and logistics, said Wang.
Looking ahead, Wang outlined priorities for cooperation, including expanding trade, deepening industrial investment and strengthening institutional collaboration.
Back at the exhibition grounds, the impact of these high-level discussions was evident in the enthusiasm of visitors like Kahwa. As he moved from one display to another, examining machinery and speaking with exhibitors, he reflected on the possibilities.
"What we are seeing here can change how we work and produce," he said. "If we adopt these technologies, we can increase productivity and improve livelihoods."
For many Tanzanians, the China pavilion is not just a showcase of foreign technology but a source of inspiration and practical solutions. Farmers see tools to increase yields, entrepreneurs identify business opportunities, and policymakers gain insights into industrial transformation.
At the same time, the pavilion reflects the evolving nature of China-Tanzania relations, moving beyond traditional cooperation to embrace innovation, sustainability and shared growth.
As the fair continues, the steady flow of visitors shows no sign of slowing. Under the bright lights of the exhibition halls and the open skies of the fairgrounds, conversations continue about trade, technology, and the future.
For Kahwa and many others, the experience has been both eye-opening and motivating. "This is not just about seeing new products," he said. "It is about learning, connecting, and finding ways to move forward."
