• Get to know the dedicated professionals behind our success
Profile picture for user Magai

Petro Sauti Magai

Senior Lecturer

University of Dar es Salaam Business School

General Management

Biography

Petro Sauti Magai is a Senior Lecturer and Trade Expert with a Ph.D. in International Trade and Economics from Dong-A University, South Korea. His expertise is grounded in both theoretical and practical competence in trade economics and business management, developed through extensive engagement with esteemed international organizations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in Geneva, Switzerland. As a scholar, he once visited HTW Berlin – University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Dr. Magai's proficiency has been formally recognized by the ITC, which awarded him the title of Certified Trainer in ITC tools (Trade Map and Market Access Map). Magai specializes in international trade, urban economics, foreign direct investment, project management, and public policy. With over 15 years of teaching at the University of Dar es Salaam, he has mentored many students and published in leading journals such as Springer, Routledge, Taylor & Francis, and Brill. Magai holds a B.Sc. in Urban and Regional Planning from the former University College of Lands and Architectural Studies (UCLAS) of the University of Dar es Salaam. He is also proficient in various computer applications that support his data analysis and research work.

Research Interest

Research interests include international trade dynamics, urban economics, and the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in economic development. Additionally, I focus on project planning and management, as well as the intersection of trade policy, regional integration, and market access in shaping global and local economic outcomes.

Contacts

Email:

Projects

Major Consultancy & Research Projects

  1. MARKUP II Consultancy: Capacity Building on NTMs and Market Access (2025–2026)

    Project Title: MARKUP II Consultancy work

    Commissioned by: International Trade Centre (ITC)

    Duration: March 2025 – June 2026
    Role: Lead Researcher

  2. Assessment of Export Potential for Horticulture and Grains Along Strategic Corridors (2025)

    Commissioned by: TradeMark Africa (TMA)
    Implemented under: Diligent Consulting Ltd
    Role: Trade Expert

  3. Baseline Assessment for Private Sector and Government Trade Support (2025)

    Commissioned by: TradeMark Africa (TMA)
    Implemented under: Bridge Consult
    Role: Trade Expert

  4. Curriculum Review: MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (2024)

    Institution: University of Dar es Salaam Business School
    Role: Team Lead

  5. Cross-Border Trade Study in Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Minerals (2024)

    Commissioned by: Liberty Spark
    Role: Co-Researcher

  6. Development of the Improved Tanzania Economic Freedom Index (2023)

    Commissioned by: Liberty Spark
    Role: Lead Researcher

  7. Policy Paper on Trading Across Borders (2022)

    Commissioned by: Liberty Spark
    Role: Individual Consultant

  8. Impact of Innovation Training Among Science Students (2021)

    Commissioned by: Institute of Physics (United Kingdom)
    Role: Lead Researcher

  9. Market Study for Engaruka Soda Ash Project (2020)

    Commissioned by: TIRDO – National Development Corporation
    Role: Co-Researcher

  10. Port Efficiency and Operational Improvement in Zanzibar (2019)

    Commissioned by: Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ZNCCIA)
    Role: Co-Researcher

  11. Business Clustering in Zanzibar (2019)

    Commissioned by: Zanzibar National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ZNCCIA)
    Role: Lead Researcher

 

Publications

Publications in Refereed Journals 

  1. Kagoya, S. M., Mbura, O. K., Magai, P. S., & Tinali, G. Z. P. (2026). Key Stakeholders’ Role in Enhancing Developing Countries’ Postgraduate Studies Completion Rates: Insights from the UTAUT and Stakeholder Theory. Papers in Education and Development, 43(2), 363-382. https://doi.org/10.1163/26650746-20250020

  2. Mutayoba, R. R. & Magai, P. S. (2025). The Impact of Manufacturing Exports on Economic Growth in Tanzania. ORSEA Journal, 5(8), 23–38. 

    https://doi.org/10.56279/orseaj.v15i1.8

  3. Magai, P. S. (2025). Tanzania’s Green Gold: Export Potential, Obstacles, and Pathways for Avocado Products, Business Management Journal (BMR), 28(1), 140-152. https://doi.org/10.56279/bmrj.v28i1.7267
  4. Rehema, J. D., & Magai, P. S. (2025). The Influence of Competitive Strategies on the Performance of Airlines in Tanzania. The African Review (TARE), 51(1), 1-21. 10.1163/1821889x-bja10151

  5. Magai, P. S. & Mesia I. (2024). Revisiting the Effect of EAC Customs Union on Trade Performance: Does it Only Matter for Exports? Cogent Economics & Finance, 12(1), 1-12.

    https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2024.2363458. 

  6. Busagara, T. E., Vicent, R. M. & Magai, P. S. (2024): A Comparative Study of Trained and Untrained Science Students on their Attitude Towards Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Science Studies, and Training: Implications for Education and Development. Papers in Education and Development, 42(1), 123-47. 

    https://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/ped/issue/view/652.

  7. Magai, P. S. (2024). Effects of Utilitarian, Hedonic and Social Motives on Mall Shoppers’ Satisfaction. Business Management Review, 27(1), 52-68 https://doi.org/10.56279/bmrj.v27i1.4

  8. Rwamuhuru, M. A. & Magai, P. S. (2024). The Reciprocity Objective! The Economic Business Environment and Transnational Corporations' Loyalty to the Host Country in Tanzania. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 1-20. 

    https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2318808.

  9. Magai, P. S. & Masele, E. R. (2023). Government Expenditure and Economic Growth in Tanzania. Tanzanian Economic Review, 13(2), 60-76.
  10. Mwaitete, G & Magai, P. S. (2023). The Best FDI Inflows Can Do on Unemployment Rates in Tanzania: A Time Series Analysis. ORSEA Journal, 13(2), 20-34.
  11. Rwamuhuru, M. A., Magai, P. S. & Tegambwage, A. G. (2023). Social Business Environment and Transnational Corporations’ Loyalty: The Executives’ Perceptions in Tanzania. African Business Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.58548/2023abmj11.1628.

  12. Jani D., & Magai, P.S. (2022): Tourism for Poverty Reduction in Developing Countries: Does it Hold? The Journal of Development Southern Africa.

    https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2022.2143323.

  13. Magai, P.S. (2021): Trade and Foreign Direct Investment in Tanzania: Do They Matter for Economic Growth? Tanzanian Economic Review, 11(2), 22-40.
  14. Magai, P.S. (2019): The Relevance of Remittances on Economic Growth in Tanzania. ORSEA Journal, 9(1), 16-31.

  15. Mohammed, M. & Magai, P.S. (2019): Effects of Regional Economic Integration on Regional Trade in Africa: The Case of Regional Economic Communities. Business Management Review Journal, 22(2), 156-171. 

    http://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/bmr/article/view/2905.

  16. Magai, P.S. (2018): An Econometric Analysis of Trade and Economic Growth in Tanzania: Evidence from Time Series Data. Business Management Review Journal, 21(1), 74-84.

    http://journals.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/bmr/article/view/2104.

  17. Suphian, R., Mtey, G. F., & Magai, P. S. (2017): The Impact of Service Quality Management on Hotel Performance in South Korea. Korean Management Consulting Review, 17(3), 35-45.
  18. Magai, P.S. (2016): Do Trade Potentials in Tanzania Allow a Country to Participate in Regional and Global Economies? International Journal of Management and Economics Invention (IJMEI). 2(9), 1010-1021, ISSN 2395-7220. http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/ijmei/v2i9.14.
  19. Mwakisale, L.E.T. & Magai, P.S. (2015): Involvement in Informal Cross Border Trade: A Case of Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania. Journal of Business and Economics, 6(8), 522-1532, ISSN 2155-7950, USA.

  20. Magai, P.S. & Alejandro M. (2013): Taxation in the Tanzanian Gold Sector: Overview of Impacts and Possible Solutions, Journal of Development Southern Africa, 30(2), 279-292.

    DOI: 10.1080/0376835X.2013.797225.

  21. Magai, P.S. & Alejandro, M. (2011): Tanzania’s Mining Sector and its Implications for the Country’s Development. Working Papers on Money, Finance, Trade, and Development. ISSN 2192 - 7790. Vol. 04/2011 Berlin, Germany.
  22. Magai, P.S. (2011): Sustainability of Tanzanian Fresh Water Fishing Industry: Case of Nile Perch in Lake Victoria. Journal of Business and Economics, 2(8), 243-250. ISSN 2155-7950, USA.
  23. Magai, P.S. (2009): Commodity Trade Potentials in Tanzania: What Went Wrong with the Mineral Sector? Business Management Review Journal, 13, ISSN 0856 - 2253, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. http://ojs.udsm.ac.tz/index.php/bmr/issue/archive.
  24. Magai, P.S. (2005): Assessment of Local Community Activities on Managing Water Resources and its Environment: Case of Fishing along Lake Victoria in Ukerewe Island. Unpublished BSc. Dissertation. University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Book

  1. Magai, P. S., Maziku, P. K., & Mpanda, E. K. (2025). Business Economics and Development in East Africa. Dar es Salaam University Press.