Tanzania's pharmaceutical market is among the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, it was valued at USD496 million, with per-capita drug expenditure at just over USD8.7 in 2017. Forecast show that it would reach over USD730 million by 2023 with a growth of 8%. 

The pharmaceutical market in Tanzania is forecast to grow strongly over the next few years, largely due to high rate of population growth and urbanisation that will continue to support pharmaceutical market growth, creating revenue-earning opportunities for drug makers. 

Over the last few years, the Ministry of Health, with the Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment encouraging stakeholders to urge the investment in the local industries as to reduce its dependency on imported medical supplies and pharmaceuticals (re-packing is also considered as manufacturing).

This was followed by a government announcement that the mentioned ministries set a five-year target to produce 50% of hospital drugs and medical equipment locally as well as reducing the cost of domestically procured medicine. 

Also, Tanzania has the largest proportion of the working age population in employment in SSA, meaning that uptake of the national health insurance scheme will occur faster then many of its regional peers. 

Tanzania textile industry has evolved tremendously since independence to date from a time when the industries were owned by the government to when they are privately owned by companies.

Industries in the sector are involved in dyeing, spinning, wearing, printing khanga and Kitenge, bed sheets, garments, knitting woven blankets and socks.

The biggest challenge in the industry is the lack of modern technology, using old outdated machines and equipment and the inability to access timely new technology don’t allow the local producers to compete with international markets on price and quality.

Investment in technology would be a remedy to develop the sector and to make it competitive in the international markets. 

This is the leading industry in the country since Tanzania’s economy dependents on agriculture.

Tanzania’s agribusiness sector has a great potential as it has an abundance of land and water resources and a favorable climate. 

But crop yields are still low in the country and affected by inadequate storage facilities, poor transport infrastructure, weak value chains and limited affordable financial services. 

This could be an opportunity for investors to offer products, services and technology to address these challenges and compete with neighboring and international markets.