Kilolo Trade and Investments Expo 2025: Catalyzing Agricultural Transformation and Economic Growth in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands

By Special Correspondent

In May 2025, the rolling hills of Kilolo District in Iringa Region came alive with the energy of entrepreneurs, farmers, financiers, and visionaries. The inaugural Kilolo Trade and Investments Expo 2025 was more than an event—it was a declaration of intent. Held at the Ilula Folk Development College (FDC) Grounds, the five-day exhibition emerged as a transformative milestone, signaling Kilolo’s rise as a regional powerhouse of agricultural and economic potential.

Under the compelling theme “Promoting Commerce, Industry and Agriculture: Kilolo for Business Prosperity and Investment”, the expo drew stakeholders from across Tanzania and beyond. Organized by the Kilolo Chapter of the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) in partnership with the Kilolo District Council, the event aligned perfectly with Tanzania’s national economic blueprint, particularly the Agricultural Growth Corridors of Tanzania (AGCOT).

A Platform Rooted in Purpose

With value chains like tea, maize, avocados, soybeans, dairy, and apples taking center stage, the expo championed the urgent need to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

For the district’s leadership, the expo was a visible commitment to reimagining agriculture through innovation, investment, and inclusivity. In the words of Kilolo District Commissioner Hon. Rebecca Nsemwa, it was “a movement to unlock Kilolo’s full economic potential.”

An Alliance for Agricultural Excellence

The expo was a masterclass in stakeholder synergy. From TCCIA to the Kilolo District Council, from AGCOT Centre Ltd and Silverlands to Export Trading Group (ETG) and Farm for the Future, the breadth of partners underscored the power of collective action.

Notably, the involvement of national heavyweights like NMB Bank, Tanesco, and SAGCOT ensured access to finance, clean energy advocacy, and alignment with Tanzania’s most strategic agricultural corridor. Community organizations like Ilula Orphans Program (IOP) anchored the event in social inclusion and grassroots participation.

Exhibitions, Forums, and Forward Thinking

Over the course of five days, the expo transformed Ilula Grounds into a dynamic hub of innovation. With products and services valued at over TZS 1.5 billion on display, exhibitors showcased not only their goods but a renewed belief in Kilolo’s economic future.

Investment forums and panel discussions tackled key themes: value addition, agribusiness financing, corridor-based development, and climate-smart agriculture. Dedicated Business-to-Business (B2B) networking sessions facilitated dialogue between farmers, processors, financiers, and policy makers.

Tanesco made waves by promoting clean cooking energy, while Turnbull Tech College exemplified the expo’s vocational training push. Youth- and women-focused booths brought the event’s inclusive agenda to life.

Kilolo in the AGCOT Framework

Kilolo’s location within the SAGCOT—now AGCOT—corridor is no coincidence. It is a priority growth zone in the most mature agricultural corridor in Tanzania. With AGCOT’s ambition to replicate SAGCOT’s success nationwide, Kilolo is poised to become a model district.

By aligning expo activities with AGCOT strategies and national programs like ASDP II and the Agriculture Master Plan 2050, the event illustrated how grassroots ambition can harmonize with national policy.

Voices of Impact

Feedback from stakeholders was resoundingly positive. TCCIA Kilolo’s Secretary and Expo Coordinator, Painetho Madembwe, dubbed the event a “springboard for economic empowerment.” Kilolo District DAS Estomin Kyando lauded it as “a critical driver of local development and innovation.” Tanesco’s local manager advocated for an energy revolution, citing the expo’s role in educating households on clean energy alternatives.

Media coverage stretched from agriculture-focused platforms like Kilimokwanza.org to mainstream outlets like The Citizen and TikTok updates by Focus Digito TV—demonstrating a modern communication approach that reached farmers and investors alike.

A Springboard for the Future

The Kilolo Trade and Investments Expo 2025 was more than a trade fair. It was an audacious leap toward an inclusive, climate-smart, investment-ready future. Suppose the seeds planted during these five days are nurtured with strategic vision and continued collaboration. In that case, Kilolo may soon be known not just for its hills and harvests—but as the beating heart of Tanzania’s Southern Highlands renaissance.