Provisional data from Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and Bank of Tanzania (BoT) computations shows the value of exported manufactured goods grew by nearly 16 percent in Tanzania mainland and 36.6 percent in Zanzibar.
In Tanzania mainland, data show the value of manufactured goods in 2022 amounted to US$1.43 billion (3.3trn/-), which is half of the value of exported gold, compared with US$1.2 billion (2.7trn/-) in 2021.
This is also pushing Tanzanian manufacturers to expand production of goods for exports as many economies are passing through post-pandemic recovery.
“The increase in exports of manufactured goods largely emanated from fertilizers, textiles as well as iron and steel, owing to rising demand from neighbouring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” BoT says.
DRC is also the major market for Tanzanian manufactured ceramic products and pharmaceuticals.
Data shows the exports of cement increased to US$69.6 million last year from US$51.5 million in 2021 while exports’ of fertilizers nearly doubled to US$89.1 million from US$48.6 million respectively.
The value of iron and steel exports went up to US$107.3 million last year from US$87.4 million in 2021, while exports of textile fetched US$121.1 million last year compared with US$93.7 million in 2021.
The value of exported ceramic products slightly increased US$49.5 million from US$46.2 million respectively, while the value of exported edible oil slightly increased to US$18.1 million last year compared with US$17.1 million in 2021.
According to TRA data, the value of exported glassware amounted to US$50.8 million in 2022, compared with US$44.2 million recorded during the previous year.
In Zanzibar, TRA data show the value of exported manufactured goods increased by 36.6 percent to US$10.6 million last year compared with US$7.8 million recorded during the previous year.
Panduka Yonazi, investment promotion manager at Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) said East Africa region is becoming the largest market for Tanzanian manufactured goods.
“For example, Tanzania was mostly importing manufactured goods from Kenya, but now, the value of exports of manufactured goods to Kenya is higher than what we import,” he said.
He said the expanding EAC market, especially DRC, has triggered many Tanzanian investors to increase production capacity.
According to Yonazi, there has also been an improved logistics, including smoothened cargo clearance procedures for cross border trade between Tanzania and neighbouring countries.
