Unguja. Zanzibar\u2019s private sector yesterday underscored the role of inclusive trade in promoting sustainable economic development across the Isles.<\/p>\n
The announcement came during the official launch of the 12th Zanzibar International Trade Fair (ZITF) at Fumba-Dimani on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.<\/p>\n
The opening forms part of the ongoing celebrations marking the 62nd anniversary of the Zanzibar Revolution, which falls on January 12.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the ceremony, Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Chairman, Mr Ali Amour Suleiman, emphasised that inclusive trade not only drives growth but also empowers local entrepreneurs and communities, fostering long-term socio-economic stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cInclusive trade is not just a policy goal; it ensures that all stakeholders, from smallholder farmers to medium and large enterprises, benefit from economic activities,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Suleiman highlighted the growing participation of women in business and the rise of locally manufactured goods as signs of a strengthening economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore women are joining the business sector, and the \u2018Made in Zanzibar\u2019 label shows our economy is growing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that the trade fair provides opportunities for investment and trade, enabling enterprises to scale from micro to small, and from domestic to international markets.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he also acknowledged challenges facing small and medium enterprises, including limited access to capital, inefficient registration processes, weak collective production, and gaps in exporting value-added products.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe revolution was about freedom, equality, and progress. These values continue to guide efforts to build a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic future for all Zanzibaris,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Zanzibar\u2019s Second Vice President Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, who officiated the opening, said the business sector remains stable, contributing to a decline in inflation from 6.9 percent in 2023 to 4 percent last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Revolutionary Government continues to create a conducive environment for trade and investment. Platforms like this are important for promoting business and locally produced goods,\u201d he said, urging institutions to strengthen systems to attract more investors.<\/p>\n
He added that the stability in the business and industrial sector has encouraged the expansion of industries and commercial activities, laying the foundation for sustained growth.<\/p>\n
Isles\u2019 Ministry of Industry and Trade Development Permanent Secretary, Dr Habiba Hassan Omar, noted that the fair continues to grow successfully, with participation increasing each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf the total participants, Zanzibar accounts for 246, Mainland Tanzania 61, and nine institutions from Uganda, Brazil, Congo, Zambia, Burundi, and Mozambique,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Union Ministry of Industry and Trade, Dr Seleman Serera, said both governments are committed to improving the business environment and encouraged entrepreneurs to exploit investment opportunities and expand trade across both regions.<\/p>\n
Zanzibar\u2019s Minister of Communications, Information and Innovation, Mr Mudrick Ramadhan Soraga, called on organisers to raise the trade fair to international standards.<\/p>\n
Unique Touch Director, Edwin Robert Geo, added that their responsibility is to enhance Zanzibar\u2019s global profile by ensuring the fair reaches international levels.<\/p>\n
The 12th Zanzibar International Trade Fair carries the theme: \u201cFostering Inclusive Growth through Trade and Innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since its launch in 2014, participation has grown from 109 in the first edition to 316 this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Unguja. Zanzibar\u2019s private sector yesterday underscored the role of inclusive trade in promoting sustainable economic development across the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13674,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55],"tags":[152,263,3978,9295],"class_list":{"0":"post-13673","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tanzania","8":"tag-tanzania","9":"tag-trade","10":"tag-zitf","11":"tag-zncc"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13673","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13673"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13673\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13674"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13673"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13673"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/africa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13673"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}