EAC or the World? Why 65% of Tanzanians Prefer Global Trade Beyond Africa

Tanzanians are looking outward. A new Afrobarometer survey reveals that 65% of citizens want their government to focus on global trade, rather than restricting efforts to Africa-only partnerships. The result is striking: while regionalism has been the backbone of Tanzania’s economic diplomacy since independence, the public now appears more convinced that prosperity lies in engaging with the wider world.

The numbers tell a story

Currently, about 40% of Tanzania’s exports stay within Africa, with major flows to the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Trade within these blocs grew from $0.9 billion in 2004 to $3 billion in 2020, a threefold increase that underlines the importance of regional integration.

Yet despite this growth, Tanzanians seem less satisfied with the results. For many businesses, non-tariff barriers, poor customs harmonisation, and infrastructure gaps limit the true benefits of regional markets. The result is long delays at borders, inconsistent product standards, and uncertainty in trade flows. Citizens appear to be signalling that global trade, while competitive, may offer clearer and larger opportunities than a region bogged down by bureaucracy.

Why global matters

Global trade already underpins a majority of Tanzania’s external engagement. In 2023, 37% of GDP was tied to external trade, with key export destinations including India, the United Arab Emirates, China, the European Union, and Switzerland. Gold, cashew nuts, coffee, and tourism all drive foreign exchange earnings, while manufactured exports remain limited.

Tanzanians recognise that participation in global value chains, particularly in Asia and Europe, could generate jobs and accelerate industrialisation in a way that regional trade alone cannot. This is particularly relevant in sectors such as textiles, agribusiness, and renewable energy, where international demand far exceeds regional consumption.

A historical contrast

The preference for global markets is also a break from Tanzania’s historical trajectory. Under Julius Nyerere, economic philosophy was rooted in African solidarity and self-reliance, with trade seen primarily through the prism of continental unity and liberation politics. Regional blocs such as the EAC (first established in 1967) were symbols of this vision.

Today, however, Tanzanians seem to be recalibrating priorities. The call is not to abandon Africa, but to recognise that the country’s growth potential cannot be fully realised without embedding itself deeper into international commerce.

Policy challenges

The government faces a dual challenge:

• Strengthen regional trade efficiency. Even as citizens demand global integration, Tanzania cannot ignore the EAC, its immediate and most accessible market. Removing non-tariff barriers, digitising customs, and harmonising standards could double intra-African trade in a decade.
• Negotiate smart global agreements. Tanzania’s leaders must pursue trade deals that open markets for its key exports while creating space for startups and SMEs to grow. This means building capacity in logistics, compliance, and certification.

The global influence picture

The survey also captures how Tanzanians perceive their external partners. The EAC (61%) and China (61%) are the most positively viewed actors, suggesting that regional institutions remain valued even as citizens look outward. The AU (57%) and SADC (54%) follow closely. But enthusiasm for traditional Western partners is muted: the US scores 47%, the EU 45%, and India 42%, while Russia’s standing is much lower at 25%.

This suggests that Tanzanians are pragmatic. They want both global engagement and strong regional roots, but they expect results, not rhetoric.

Looking forward

For policymakers in Dar es Salaam, the public sentiment is clear: regional integration must be pursued, but it cannot be the ceiling of ambition. Tanzania’s economic destiny lies in becoming a globally competitive economy that leverages its young population, natural resources, and strategic location on the Indian Ocean.

If Tanzania balances regional obligations with global opportunities, it can reposition itself as a hub linking East Africa to the wider world. But if it clings too tightly to inefficient regional systems, it risks falling behind. Tanzanians already know this, their government must now catch up.