Mufindi District in Iringa Region has launched a major investment forum and expo to unlock economic potential by connecting investors, entrepreneurs and public institutions with local resources, capital, technology and markets. The Mufindi Investment Forum and Expo 2026, held at Wambi Primary School grounds in Mafinga, brought together stakeholders to explore opportunities in agriculture, livestock, forestry, beekeeping and fisheries. These sectors were identified as offering significant potential to boost production, add value to agricultural products and create employment across the district.
Mufindi District Commissioner Dr Linda Salekwa told participants that investment should not be seen as the exclusive domain of external investors, emphasising that local communities must take the lead in identifying and exploiting economic opportunities in their own areas. She outlined the district's agricultural advantages, noting that Mufindi had favourable conditions for producing tea, avocados, sunflower, maize, rice and beans. The district's extensive forest resources also presented opportunities for timber trading and wood-based products, she said.
Water resources form another pillar of the district's economic potential. The presence of Ngwazi, Kihanga, Nzivi and Iramba dams offers considerable scope for expanding fishing and fish farming, which could diversify household incomes if supported by appropriate technologies and efficient production systems, according to the commissioner. Deputy Minister for Transport and Mufindi South Member of Parliament David Kihenzile called for stronger links between production and markets to ensure that Mufindi's resources generated benefits beyond farming, emphasising the importance of connecting agriculture with trade, processing and industrial development.
The forum also provided a platform for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs to learn how to improve their products and compete more effectively in the market. Tanzania Bureau of Standards inspector Helen Mampwe, from the Central Zone Office, educated participants on product standards, quality assurance and packaging that meets market requirements. She stressed that producing goods alone is insufficient to build a sustainable business, and that product quality, presentation and packaging must meet buyers' expectations.
Financial institutions and local government authorities participated in discussions on access to credit and opportunities to empower women. For borrowers and business owners in the district, the forum represents an effort to improve access to capital, market linkages and technical support needed to expand productive enterprises.