Digital Innovation Holds Key to Unlocking Tanzania's Fisheries Potential, Government Tells UDSM Forum
By Selemani Nambimbi, CMU
Digital technology has the potential to revolutionise Tanzania's fisheries sector by expanding market access, improving transparency and creating new economic opportunities for fishing communities, the Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, Prof. Mohammed Ali Sheikh, has said.
Speaking as the Guest of Honour at the opening of the Tanzania Digital Fisheries Trade and Market Linkages Forum 2026 at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) on July 22, 2026, Prof. Sheikh said innovative digital platforms such as TANFISH Market are helping bridge the gap between fishers, traders, investors and consumers while supporting the country's Blue Economy agenda.
"TANFISH Market is an important step towards connecting policy, research, technology and investment with the real needs of fisheries stakeholders. We expect the platform to continue expanding its reach and delivering practical solutions that enhance fisheries trade and sustainable economic growth," said Prof. Sheikh.
He noted that limited market access remains one of the major constraints facing Tanzania's fisheries sector and stressed that digital solutions can empower fishers through better market information, stronger business linkages and more efficient value chains.
The two-day forum, hosted by UDSM, has brought together policymakers, researchers, development partners, financial institutions, private sector players and fisheries stakeholders to discuss how digital innovation can strengthen fisheries trade and improve livelihoods.
Opening the forum on behalf of the UDSM Vice Chancellor, Prof. William A. L. Anangisye, the Principal of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CoNAS), Prof. Flora Magige, said the University is committed to generating research-based solutions that respond to national development priorities.
"Digital technology has enormous potential to bridge the gap between fishers and buyers by improving access to market information and creating new business opportunities. However, technology alone is not enough. It must be supported by informed users, accessible financial services, reliable infrastructure and strong partnerships”, she said.
She added: “This forum provides an important platform for bringing together all actors in the fisheries value chain to build sustainable business linkages”.
Prof. Magige said UDSM is proud to host the forum and serve as a key implementing partner of the TANFISH Market Project, describing it as a practical demonstration of how university research and innovation can address real-world challenges and improve livelihoods.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also underscored the importance of digital innovation in unlocking the sector's potential.
The FAO Representative in Tanzania, Dr. Nyabenyi Tipo Tipo said the fisheries sector remains a cornerstone of Tanzania's economy, supporting food security, nutrition, employment and incomes for millions of people, but continues to face significant structural challenges.
"Fisheries remain a critical sector for Tanzania's economy, contributing significantly to food security, nutrition, employment and livelihoods. However, the sector continues to face challenges, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, climate change impacts, limited market access, inadequate financing and post-harvest losses," she said.
She noted that digital platforms such as TANFISH Market provide practical opportunities to overcome many of these challenges by improving market connectivity, increasing transparency and strengthening the competitiveness of fisheries enterprises.
Connecting fisheries stakeholders, improving access to market information
Presenting an overview of the project, Principal Investigator Prof. Abdi T. Abdalla said TANFISH Market is being implemented by UDSM in collaboration with the State University of Zanzibar (SUZA) under the FAO-led FISH4ACP Programme, with funding from the European Union.
He explained that the digital marketplace is designed to connect fisheries stakeholders, improve access to market information, increase transparency and expand economic opportunities across the fisheries value chain.
"Since the official launch of the platform on 11 June 2026, more than 500 users have registered, facilitating the trade of approximately two tonnes of fish. These early results demonstrate that digital technology can become a powerful catalyst for transforming fisheries trade," Prof. Abdalla said.
He said the project's next milestone is to increase transactions to at least 10 tonnes of fish per month, while expanding the platform to additional fisheries clusters and related value chains across Tanzania.
The forum features business exhibitions, live demonstrations of the TANFISH Market platform, business-to-business networking sessions and technical discussions on digital innovation, financing and market development. Participants are expected to identify practical strategies for strengthening fisheries trade, expanding market access and accelerating the growth of Tanzania's Blue Economy through technology-driven solutions.
The TANFISH Market Project is one of several initiatives demonstrating UDSM's commitment to translating research into practical innovations that support sustainable economic development and improve the livelihoods of communities across Tanzania.