Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has taken a decisive step to modernise its fisheries sector with the launch of the TanFishMarket Digital Marketplace Platform.
The initiative is designed to digitise fisheries trade and accelerate the growth of the blue economy. It brings together fishers, traders, buyers, processors, and regulators within a single, transparent digital ecosystem.
The platform was officially launched in Dar es Salaam on February 18, 2026.
It was developed by the University of Dar es Salaam in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization and key national stakeholders.
The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
Speaking at the launch, UDSM Vice-Chancellor Prof William A. L. Anangisye said the platform demonstrated how academic research could deliver tangible development outcomes.
He noted that TanFishMarket bridged the gap between knowledge and practice.
He added that digital tools were now essential for unlocking productivity and competitiveness across value chains.
FAO Representative Nyabenyi Tipo underscored the importance of digital transformation in fisheries governance.
She said the platform would enhance transparency, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand market access for small-scale fishers.
She added that the system would also improve traceability and compliance, strengthening confidence among buyers and regulators.
The platform was developed under the European Union-funded FISH4ACP programme.
It has already onboarded more than 200 sellers operating around Lake Tanganyika.
Women account for 62 per cent of registered users, while youth represent 48 per cent.
This reflects a deliberate focus on inclusion and economic empowerment.
Plans are underway to expand the platform nationwide. The next phase will be implemented in collaboration with the State University of Zanzibar.
The expansion will cover coastal and inland fisheries, linking remote communities to wider markets.
Project Leader Prof Abdi Talib Abdalla said TanFishMarket would raise incomes and improve efficiency across the fisheries value chain.
Technical Team Leader Dr Eva Shayo added that the platform would support sustainable fisheries management through better data and market intelligence.
With this launch, Tanzania positions itself among emerging regional leaders in digital fisheries governance.
The platform signals a clear intent to harness innovation to empower communities, protect marine resources, and drive inclusive blue economic growth.
