Exports of fish products have increased by over 14,000 tonnes, climbing from 167,256.16 tonnes valued at $813.53m in 2020 to 181,655.70 tonnes worth $878.88m in 2024.

Gerson Msigwa, the Information, Culture, Arts and Sports permanent secretary and chief government spokesman, made this observation when addressing journalists at the Julius Nyerere hydropower project (JNHPP) lately, noting that the fish export industry has seen a significant rise in volume and value, enhancing its contribution to economic growth.

The surge comes as a result of the government’s ongoing investments in the fisheries sector, including the construction of the Kilwa Masoko fishing port which is 79 percent complete and is set to further enhance the fish trade, he said.

Once completed, the port will provide much-needed infrastructure for fishing vessels to dock and offload targets and by catching species from the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and territorial waters, he stated.

“Government initiatives have also played a key role in driving this growth. Notably, 274 fish cages have been distributed to 1,250 residents and 160 boats have been given to 3,163 beneficiaries, men and women, he said.

These investments have empowered local communities, leading to the harvest of 83.2 tonnes of fish generating 645m/- in revenue, he elaborated, highlighting that the growth in the fish export sector is also helping to diversify the country’s income sources.

It is contributing to national food security, job creation and improved livelihoods for many fishermen and broader local communities involved in the fisheries value chain, he further noted.

The country was strengthening its position as a player in the global fish export market, with plans to further expand the sector in the coming years, he said, describing the rise in fish exports as illustrating the government's commitment to enhancing the fisheries industry.

This creates a more robust economy and opens up new trade opportunities for the country on the global stage, as operational the port will allow fishing vessels to dock and offload target and bycatch fish, significantly enhancing fish trade. “This is expected to increase fish exports from 40,721.53 tonnes to 52,937.99 tonnes, boosting the nation’s economy.”

He said under the current authorities, the country has made significant strides in the blue economy, while also preparing to host a major international aviation conference later this year.

The country’s livestock sector has experienced significant growth, with meat exports soaring from 1,774 tonnes in 2020/2021 to 14,701 tonnes in 2023/2024, contributing $61.39m to foreign exchange reserves, he asserted.

Additionally, the number of licensed meat processing plants has grown from four to seven, creating job opportunities and ensuring a stable market for livestock farmers, meanwhile as through economic diplomacy, Tanzanian meat is now exported to 12 countries, including Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.

The government has also set aside 11,754.4 hectares of pastureland across 48 villages to alleviate conflicts between pastoralists and other land users, bringing the total designated pastureland to over 3.4m hectares by February 2025. Moreover, 33,359 tonnes of forage seeds have been produced and distributed nationwide, he said.

In addition to advancements in agriculture, Tanzania has secured the bid to host the 73rd Africa Airports Council International (ACI) conference in Arusha from 24 to 30 April.

The conference themed "Towards a better green future: Leveraging sustainable air transport and tourism for economic prosperity," is in line with ongoing investment in the aviation sector, he said.

Tanzania’s win to host this prestigious event marks the second time since 2007 the country has been chosen. The decision was influenced by the government’s substantial investments in modern airport infrastructure, the safety and efficiency of its services, and meeting the required criteria of having at least 50,000 aircraft movements annually, he added.