President Samia to Grace Historic National Conference of Food Vendors
The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, is expected to be the guest of honor at a major national conference bringing together food vendors (popularly known as Mamalishe and Babalishe) from across all regions of the country.
The conference is scheduled to take place on April 11, 2026, at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, the Chairperson of food vendors under the Umoja wa Mamalishe na Babalishe Tanzania (UMALITA), Avijawa Omari, said they are calling on the government to formally recognize them as a vital sector of the national economy.
She emphasized that such recognition would enable members to access loans, economic opportunities, and expand employment, particularly for youth and women.
“We urge the government to formally recognize us. This recognition will ease access to loans and give us the opportunity to expand our businesses and create more jobs,” she stated.
Omari added that the conference will serve as an important platform for food vendors to directly present their challenges to government leaders, with the goal of increasing income, expanding businesses, and contributing to job creation nationwide.
She also encouraged all members and food vendors across the country to turn up in large numbers on April 11 at JNICC to collectively shape the future of their businesses.
The conference will be held under the theme “Cook Smart, Dress Smart,” aimed at improving service standards and enhancing the professional image of food vendors in Tanzania.
“We are self-reliant entrepreneurs who feed the nation morning, afternoon, evening, and night. We call upon society to recognize our contribution and respect the work we do,” she added.
Omari further noted that the sector continues to face various challenges, including health risks and difficult working conditions. However, she highlighted ongoing efforts to adopt clean energy and improved cooking methods to safeguard health and promote business growth.
On his part, a representative of Babalishe, Ndugu Ngosha, stressed the importance of unity and cooperation among members in achieving their economic and social goals.
The conference is expected to be historic, as it brings together key stakeholders from the informal sector and top government leaders to discuss the future of employment and entrepreneurship in Tanzania.
