Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is stepping up efforts to establish itself as a premier medical tourism hub in Africa, with health experts and government officials pointing to recent reforms and the forthcoming International Medical Tourism Expo as a catalyst for growth.
The three-day expo, slated for March 26–28, 2026, will be the country’s first major international platform to showcase its healthcare capabilities. The event is being coordinated by the Tanlink Healthcare Foundation (THF) in partnership with the Ministries of Health, Foreign Affairs, and Natural Resources and Tourism.
According to stakeholders, the expo is not simply an isolated event, but part of a wider national drive to attract regional and international patients by highlighting Tanzania’s medical infrastructure, strategic location and government-backed reforms.
The Director of THF and Chair of the organising committee, Dr Siraj Mtulia, said the expo was designed to place Tanzania firmly on the global medical tourism map.
“Tanzania already enjoys a strong health infrastructure and a unique geographical advantage as a gateway to East and Central Africa,” he said. “This event will allow us to showcase that potential, while also strengthening reforms to ensure the nation becomes a trusted destination for specialised healthcare.”
The initiative echoes President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s broader vision of transforming Tanzania into a regional hub for both healthcare and investment.
Under her administration, the government has prioritised upgrading facilities, expanding specialist care, and strengthening public-private partnerships to reduce outbound medical travel while attracting foreign patients.
The upcoming expo is expected to attract over 5,000 participants from across Africa and beyond, providing opportunities for local hospitals to connect with international partners and investors.
Coordinator of Public-Private Partnership and Non-State Actors at the Dar es Salaam Regional Office, Dr Gunini Kamba, said the country’s healthcare policy already positions medical tourism as a key economic driver. “This is not a new concept for Tanzania, but the level of emphasis has changed,” he explained. “Private hospitals are now aligning their strategies with national goals, and that synergy will strengthen our capacity to serve patients from neighbouring countries and further afield.”
For the Managing Director of the Tanlink Medical Tourism Agency, Dr Fyumagwa Hassan, the challenge is not only to expand services but also to market them effectively.
“Healthcare under President Hassan’s leadership has made major strides, from infrastructure to specialist care,” he said. “But if these achievements aren't showcased internationally, their value will remain under-recognised. The expo is our chance to present Tanzania’s healthcare progress to the world.”
Beyond strengthening healthcare delivery, stakeholders believe the growth of medical tourism will generate significant economic benefits by creating jobs, attracting foreign exchange and stimulating related sectors such as hospitality and transport.
Preparations for the International Medical Tourism Expo 2026 are already underway, and organisers are confident it will mark the beginning of a new chapter in Tanzania’s ambitions to become Africa’s preferred medical tourism hub.
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