The packaging sector in Tanzania is experiencing solid growth. According to a market study on the Tanzanian packaging industry conducted by the Italian Trade Agency’s Office in Nairobi, with a market value of USD 370 million in 2024 and an annual growth rate of 3.9%, the country’s drive towards industrialisation is a key factor supporting its development.
The main driver behind this growth is the emphasis on agricultural exports, which account for 58% of market demand for packaging. The need to comply with international standards for export-bound products is fuelling a strong local push towards mechanisation and technological innovation. This trend – the report notes – is further reinforced by the growth of the manufacturing sector, which expanded by 9.32% between 2022 and 2024. The food & beverage industry is the main end-user, representing 70% of the packaging market.
Alongside the dominant food sector, the pharmaceutical industry is showing increasing interest in advanced packaging solutions. With an 18% share of the labelling market – a segment valued at USD 11 million – this sector expresses specific demand for packaging that ensures regulatory compliance and product safety. In 2024, Italy ranked as the third-largest supplier of packaging machinery to Tanzania, with a market share of 15%, equivalent to a value of EUR 9.46 million.
The most notable figure in the Italian Trade Agency’s Office study is the exceptional growth in Italian exports to Tanzania, which surged by 183.16% compared to 2023. This performance significantly outpaces that of Italy’s direct competitors, Germany (+53.87%) and China (+43.63%). Italian companies hold leading positions in strategic segments, ranking among the top three suppliers of complete systems (including complex machinery), spare parts, and packaging machines.
