Feature: Chinese-built logistics hub in Tanzania streamlines regional trade across East Africa

DAR ES SALAAM, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- On the second floor of the East Africa Commercial and Logistics Center (EACLC) on the outskirts of Tanzania's port city of Dar es Salaam, bolts of neatly arranged clothing line the shelves as customers drift in from different corners of the East African nation and beyond.

Smiles come easily to Ayoub Katuga, a Tanzanian trader whose wholesale clothing business has found new momentum inside this modern complex in the Ubungo area.

"This environment has completely changed how we do business," Katuga said, gesturing toward the bright, orderly showroom.

"Our customers enjoy coming here, and that alone makes a big difference," he told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Katuga is the managing director of Ascon Africa, an umbrella company. He was among the first local traders to open a shop at the center, a Chinese-built business hub designed to reduce trade bottlenecks between China, Tanzania and the wider East African region.

"I came here in August and opened a shop downstairs," he recalled. "Now we have expanded to the first floor with another new one, focusing on wholesale clothing. That growth itself tells a story."

Located in Tanzania's commercial capital, the center is more than a conventional marketplace. Conceived as a one-stop trade and logistics platform, it integrates showrooms, warehousing, shipping coordination, customs support and business services under one roof.

For Katuga, whose clients come from Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda, the center has opened new doors.

"Before, most wholesale trade was concentrated in Kariakoo," he said, referring to Dar es Salaam's traditional commercial district. "But the infrastructure there is crowded. Here, everything is modern and well-structured. Customers feel comfortable, and that builds trust."

He said that the platform has strengthened his supply chain with China, where most of his products originate. "It connects us directly with Chinese suppliers and attracts regional buyers to Tanzania. That is a new mode of business," he said.

On the ground floor of the center, smart watches, power banks and audio accessories gleam under display lights at Wawlyn Limited, a technology-driven company that began operations at the center in early August and is owned by a Somali businessman.

"Business is running well," said Esther Benedictor Patrick, store manager and company representative. "Wawlyn is deeply rooted in Africa, and our goal is to grow across the continent. Being here helps us reach a wider African market."

Wawlyn focuses on the design, development and distribution of wearable and smart electronic devices. According to Patrick, the company's decision to settle at the center aligns closely with its long-term strategy.

"We see EACLC as a natural bridge between China and Africa," she said. "China-Africa cooperation is not just about buying and selling. It is about long-term relationships, technology transfer and reliable logistics."

Chinese enterprises are also steadily establishing a foothold at the center. One such company, MAFC, deals in furniture, lighting and building materials. After renovating its showroom in August, the company officially opened in October this year.

"Business has been improving day by day," said Wang Xinggang, representative of the Chinese company, noting that Tanzania was chosen for its strategic advantages, including a large population, access to the sea, political stability and strong development potential.

Cathy Wang, general manager of EACLC, said that the establishment of the center was driven by the need to improve the efficiency and structure of China-Africa trade.

"Our original intention was to build a simpler, more efficient and safer trade platform," she said. "By addressing information asymmetry and high logistics costs, we aim to move China-Africa trade away from fragmented, small-scale operations toward a more organized, platform-based model."

She stressed that the center is designed as a comprehensive, two-way trade gateway rather than a conventional physical market.

"Beyond wholesale and retail functions, the center integrates supply chain coordination, smart warehousing, cross-border logistics, exhibition services and on-site spot procurement," the manager said. "By combining trading, display and logistics in one location, we seek to enhance connectivity, improve circulation efficiency and promote mutual benefit and win-win development between China and Africa."

Currently, the center hosts merchants from China and Tanzania, as well as traders from neighboring countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Somalia. Products range from construction materials and machinery to electronics, textiles and daily necessities.

Looking ahead, EACLC plans to deepen digital integration. Smart warehousing systems, real-time inventory tracking and e-commerce connectivity are all part of the roadmap.

"Merchants will not need to look for fragmented logistics providers anymore," the manager explained. "They will be able to monitor inventory and orders in real time, improving operational efficiency."

Beyond commerce, the center has also become a platform for broader China-Africa economic cooperation. It has helped organize Tanzanian participation in major trade expos in China, while facilitating Chinese enterprises' presence at Tanzania's major annual Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair.

For traders like Katuga, the impact of the center is already tangible.

"This place has helped me expand my business and reach new markets," he said. "Customers from across Africa now come to Tanzania to buy here." ■