Tanzania: what does Turkey export there?

In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $99 million. The ten largest product groups made up 45.5% of that total, led by Yeast; Trailers; Nitrogenous Fertilizers.

Tanzania: who are its main trading partners?

The three largest import partners are China, India, UAE. The three largest export partners are India, South Africa, China.

Tanzania: what does the country import?

The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Packaged Medicaments; Palm Oil. The three largest export products are Gold; Nuts; Raw Tobacco.

Tanzania: how big is the economy?

Population 58 million, GDP $52 billion, and $936 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.538.

Tanzania: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?

The trade balance is -$2.88B in net imports.

Tanzania: which ports handle goods from Turkey?

The main ports are Dar es Salaam, Tanga.

Tanzania: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?

Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the TBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. Regulated goods arriving without one can be rejected or penalised.

Tanzania: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?

Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

Country Profiles

Tanzania

The United Republic of Tanzania is located in the East Africa and it is bordered by Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tanzania’s population is 58 million and its GDP is $42 Billion.

Tanzania gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1963 and current constitution was established in 1977. Tanzania does not have an official language, however Swahili and English are used nationally. More than 100 local languages are spoken in diffeernt regions of Tanzania. Its capital city is Dodoma, however Dar es Salaam is the largest city with 5 million population. The main commercial ports and industrial zones are located in Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania’s main import partner is China with 21% of total imports. China is followed by India with 15% share. Tanzania has vast gold resources and gold accounted for 30% of total exports in 2017. Agricultural products drive the economy of Tanzania, especially nuts.

The first Turkish Embassy in Dar es Salaam was first opened in 1979. There has been Turkish Airlines direct flights between Istanbul and Dar es Salaam since 2010 and it impacted the relations between Turkey and Tanzania. Turkish businessmen visit Tanzania on many occasions to explore opportunities. In 2018, agricultural machine companies attended a forum in Dar es Salaam to establish new connections. Turkey’s exports to Tanzania reached $100 Million in 2017. The agriculture and construction sectors are the main areas to be focused on.

Below, you can see the fact sheet, macroeconomic outlook and trade relations of Tanzania with Turkey.

Four charts for Tanzania. Population rises from about 34 million in 2000 to 57 million in 2017. GDP grows from about US$10 billion to US$53 billion. Total imports stay above exports, peaking near US$15 billion in 2015. Imports from Turkey peak about US$180 million in 2014 and end near US$100 million, above exports to Turkey at about US$45 million.

Turkey's exports to Tanzania in 2008 and 2017: a pie chart splitting the ten largest product groups from all others, the total value of exports, and a table naming those ten products with each one's share. The same figures are listed as a table further down this page.

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Country at a glance

Capital city: Dodoma
Official language: Swahili / English
Population: 58 million
GDP: $52 billion
GDP per capita: $936
Human Development Index: 0.538

Top 3 import partners: China, India, UAE
Top 3 export partners: India, South Africa, China
Top 3 import products: Refined Petroleum, Packaged Medicaments, Palm Oil
Top 3 export products: Gold, Nuts, Raw Tobacco
Trade balance: -$2.88B in net imports

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report (2019). Figures as published, reflecting data to 2017.

Tanzania: practical trade guide

What a shipment between Turkey and this market needs, how the goods get there, and what to settle before you sign.

Main ports: Dar es Salaam, Tanga
Currency: Tanzanian shilling (TZS)
Trade blocs: AfCFTA, EAC, SADC
Trade agreement with Turkey: None in force: standard duties generally apply

Specific to Tanzania

Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the TBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. Regulated goods arriving without one can be rejected or penalised.

Standard documents

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Certificate of origin issued by a Turkish chamber of commerce
Insurance certificate when the Incoterm includes insurance (CIF, CIP)

Before you sign

Check the counterparty: registration, activity and references
Match the payment structure to the risk: advance or partial payment, documentary collection or a letter of credit
Confirm whether your product needs a certificate or registration in this market before production starts

Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change: confirm the current rules for your product with your forwarder, the buyer's customs broker or us before shipping.

Turkey's exports to this market

Source: Istanbul Africa Trade Company, Africa Economic Report. Figures as published.

2008

$79 million

Top 10 products account for 72.8% of the total.

2008
Product	Share of total
Refined Petroleum	28.3%
Iron Structures	15%
Raw Iron Bars	12.8%
Aircraft Parts	6.1%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	2.4%
Synthetic Filament Tow	2.2%
Toilet Paper	1.7%
Insulated Wire	1.6%
Flat Flat-Rolled Steel	1.4%
Paper Containers	1.3%

2017

$99 million

Top 10 products account for 45.5% of the total.

2017
Product	Share of total
Yeast	9.7%
Trailers	8.8%
Nitrogenous Fertilizers	4.9%
Raw Iron Bars	4.7%
Hot-Rolled Iron Bars	4.5%
Cereal Meal and Pellets	3.6%
Pesticides	3.4%
Sulfur	2.1%
Toilet Paper	2%
Prefabricated Buildings	2%

Frequently asked questions

Tanzania: what does Turkey export there?: In 2017, Turkey's exports to this market were valued at $99 million. The ten largest product groups made up 45.5% of that total, led by Yeast; Trailers; Nitrogenous Fertilizers.
Tanzania: who are its main trading partners?: The three largest import partners are China, India, UAE. The three largest export partners are India, South Africa, China.
Tanzania: what does the country import?: The three largest import products are Refined Petroleum; Packaged Medicaments; Palm Oil. The three largest export products are Gold; Nuts; Raw Tobacco.
Tanzania: how big is the economy?: Population 58 million, GDP $52 billion, and $936 per person. The Human Development Index is 0.538.
Tanzania: does it run a trade surplus or a deficit?: The trade balance is -$2.88B in net imports.
Tanzania: which ports handle goods from Turkey?: The main ports are Dar es Salaam, Tanga.
Tanzania: what does a shipment from Turkey need beyond the standard documents?: Regulated products need a Certificate of Conformity under the TBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme, issued in Turkey by an appointed inspection body before shipment. Regulated goods arriving without one can be rejected or penalised.
Tanzania: do Turkish goods get a preferential duty rate?: Not under a bilateral agreement: Turkey's free trade agreements in force in Africa cover Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Standard duties generally apply, and AfCFTA preferences cover goods of African origin, not Turkish goods.

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Reviewed by Burak Unal, Director of African Markets