The five-year, £1.5 billion target is a deliberate commercial ambition, not speculative trade. It is a disciplined growth strategy built around real buyers, verified demand, and bankable export execution.
DAR ES SALAAM: A bold, youth-led private sector initiative is poised to transform Tanzania’s agricultural export landscape, announcing a strategic partnership targeting up to £1.5 billion in value-added agri-food exports over the next five years.
The ambitious venture emerges from a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Innovation for Development Limited (I4D), throught its flagslit initiative, ‘ Agri Export Hub’ and UK-based Fremu UK Limited.
This partnership establishes a robust, commercially driven framework designed to propel Tanzanian-origin products into the lucrative UK and European markets through a focus on export readiness, buyer-aligned production, digital trade systems, and structured off-take agreements.
Forged with support from the Tanzania High Commission in the UK under H.E. Mbelwa Kairuki, the agreement exemplifies successful trade diplomacy, championing the critical role of youth-led enterprises in international trade.
It builds upon Fremu UK’s existing relationship with the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) amplifying efforts to promote Tanzanian products and connect local producers with global buyers.
Mr. Elias Patrick, Managing Director of I4D, highlighted the importance of a conducive policy environment.
“Policy reforms matter when they translate into execution,” he stated. “This platform demonstrates how an enabling environment allows young private-sector actors to build scalable, investable export pipelines.”
He emphasized that the initiative is a commercial enterprise, not a government program, operating effectively within Tanzania’s improved regulatory landscape.
A Structured, Market-Led Approach
The partnership delineates clear, complementary roles:-
Fremu UK Limited, in collaboration with business intelligence firm, ‘Ocolate Limited’, will serve as the UK-based technical and commercial partner. It will ensure food safety compliance, packaging, labelling, and buyer-specific requirements, while also acting as a buyer and off-taker.
I4D’s Agri Export Hub, will function as a neutral export enabler, coordinating producer onboarding, aggregation, quality assurance, digital traceability, and export execution, rather than acting as a trader.
Ocolate Limited will provide crucial market intelligence, pricing analysis, and demand validation, leveraging its expertise in consumer behaviour and market entry strategies.
This integrated model harnesses digital traceability and data analytics across the export pipeline, enhancing transparency, predictability, and investor confidence while aligning with Tanzania’s digital economy ambitions.
Tangible Outcomes and Inclusive Growth
The initiative is structured to deliver measurable socio-economic impact, including;-
👉 Creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs across farming, processing, packaging, logistics, and export services.
👉 Sustained foreign exchange earnings through value-added exports.
👉 Significant skills transfer in compliance, digital systems, and international standards.
👉 Expanded participation of youth and women-owned enterprises across the entire value chain, from processing and quality assurance to branding, logistics, and export coordination, ensuring value capture extends far beyond the farm gate.
A Disciplined Path to £1.5 Billion
The five-year, £1.5 billion target is a deliberate commercial ambition, not speculative trade. “It is a disciplined growth strategy built around real buyers, verified demand, and bankable export execution,” Mr. Patrick affirmed.
The strategy will be driven by phased market entry, product diversification, and digitally enabled trade systems across multiple international markets.
By operating as a neutral, integrated platform, the Agri Export Hub directly complements national priorities to diversify exports, increase local value addition, advance the digital economy, strengthen SME participation in global markets, and position Tanzania as a reliable and competitive trading partner.
About the Partners
Innovation for Development Limited (I4D) is a Tanzanian investment and trade facilitation firm. Its ‘Agri Export Hub’ is a private platform leveraging innovation and technology to deliver scalable value addition, structured market access, and inclusive growth in global agri-food chains.
Fremu UK Limited is a UK-based agri-food company specializing in sourcing, compliance support, distribution, and market development.
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