Tanzania Unveils TanFishMarket to Digitise Fisheries and Power the Blue Economy
By Dickens Dominic, CMU
Tanzania has taken a major step toward modernising its fisheries sector and accelerating blue economy growth with the official launch of the TanFishMarket Digital Marketplace Platform.
This innovative system is designed to connect fishers, traders, buyers, and regulators within a single transparent and efficient digital ecosystem.
Developed by the University of Dar es Salaam in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and national stakeholders, the platform was formally launched and handed over in Dar es Salaam on 18 February 2026.
TanFishMarket links fisheries actors directly to national, regional, and international markets, expanding market access, improving price transparency, and increasing incomes for fishing communities while strengthening value-chain efficiency.
Speaking at the launch, UDSM Vice-Chancellor Prof. William A. L. Anangisye described the platform as a clear demonstration of how academic research can translate into tangible socio-economic transformation.
“TanFishMarket exemplifies research with real-world impact, where knowledge generated within the University creates economic opportunity and strengthens communities,” he said.
He added: “This is not a conclusion, but a foundation for scaling innovation to ensure fisheries value chains become more efficient, inclusive, and resilient”.
The initiative aligns with national priorities to promote inclusive growth, enhance food security, advance the digital economy, and empower rural producers through technology-enabled market participation.
FAO Representative in Tanzania Nyabenyi Tipo underscored the urgency of digital transformation in fisheries systems.“Digital transformation is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. TanFishMarket improves transparency, reduces post-harvest losses, and enables fishing communities to compete in a modern marketplace”.
She added that the platform was developed under the FISH4ACP programme, funded by the European Union, and has already trained more than 200 community members, 62 percent women and 48 percent youth, highlighting its strong inclusion impact.
Research partnerships translating into livelihood impact
UDSM Chief Corporate Counsel and Secretary to Council Prof. Saudin Mwakaje described the project as a fulfilment of the University’s founding mission.
“This initiative reflects the core purpose of the University: to generate solutions that address national challenges and improve people’s lives,” he said.
TanFishMarket Project Leader, Prof. Abdi Talib Abdalla, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA), emphasised that the platform responds directly to long-standing inefficiencies in fisheries trade.
“Technology here is not an end in itself, but a tool to improve livelihoods, enhance transparency, and support sustainable fisheries management,” he explained.
Following the successful onboarding of more than 200 sellers around Lake Tanganyika, the project’s second phase will expand to major urban centres including Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mbeya, and Arusha, targeting at least 450 additional sellers, with SUZA supporting nationwide rollout.
Built for inclusion, efficiency, and sector transformation
The Project Technical Team Leader Dr. Eva Shayo highlighted the platform’s user-centred design and practical functionality.
“TanFishMarket empowers fishers and traders with real-time market information, digital trading capabilities, and business management tools. Our goal is to ensure technology becomes an enabler of economic empowerment across the fisheries value chain,” she said.
The platform integrates digital trading, stock management, logistics coordination, and market analytics, enabling more efficient fisheries operations while generating data to support evidence-based planning and sustainable resource management.
Strategically, TanFishMarket positions Tanzania among emerging leaders using digital solutions to modernise fisheries governance and unlock blue economy potential.
By bridging academia, government, communities, and international partners, the initiative demonstrates how collaborative innovation can transform livelihoods, strengthen food systems, and create resilient economic opportunities.
Through this landmark platform, UDSM continues to affirm its national role as a catalyst for research-driven development, proving that when science, technology, and partnerships converge, they can deliver inclusive and sustainable growth for coastal and inland fishing communities alike.