Tanzania
The Local Network in Tanzania was established in 2024 and is led by the Association of Non-State Actors Forum (ANSAF). There are over 2,000 agricultural cooperatives with over 1.8 million members in Tanzania. These are primarily smallholder farmers. Tanzania is pursuing the Agenda 10/30 for agricultural transformation through commercialization. To achieve this goal, the government, through the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), is collaborating with stakeholders to develop national BDS guidelines to standardize services nationwide.
AMEA seeks to contribute to these objectives by addressing key issues, such as the reliability and quality of Business Development Service (BDS), BDS cost, enabling environment for BDS providers, demand for BDS, and coordination of BDS providers (BDSPs).
Tanzania BDS Vision
The National BDS Roadmap was launched in 2025 by the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC).

The Roadmap identifies three priority actions which would have the greatest impact:
Certifying BDSPs
Establishing a credible certification system for Business Development Service Providers (BDSPs) ensures that providers meet consistent minimum quality standards. With the creation of a BDS Association, BDSPs would be certified based on predefined quality metrics, helping agricultural businesses to identify trustworthy service providers and fostering a more structured support network. This system aims to ensure most of the commissioned BDSPs are certified, elevating dilligence, reliability and professional standards in the sector.
Standardised Data on BDS Cost Effectiveness
The roadmap advocates for collecting and sharing data on BDS cost-effectiveness across various initiatives. By generating uniform data, stakeholders can assess the impact and efficiency of BDS, facilitating evidence-based learning and continuous improvement. This initiative will promote transparency, trust, improve collaboration, and foster a knowledge-sharing culture that helps optimising resource allocation and enhance effectiveness of BDS Interventions.
BDS Cost share facilities
The roadmap calls for larger-scale cost-sharing facilities, supported by both government and donors, to make BDS more accessible to agricultural SMEs. These facilities would not only subsidise the cost of services but also contribute to improving BDSP quality through training and professional development programs. This broader support system would help scale up the reach and impact of BDS, ensuring that rural and underserved areas benefit from these services, thus promoting equitable access to BDS in Tanzania.
Downloads
Tanzania BDS Roadmap
National BDS Guidelines
Our Members

TAPBDS
Member Type: Local
Headquarters Tanzania

MEDA
Member Type: Local
Headquarters Canada

Cordaid
Member Type: Founding, Global
Headquarters The Netherlands

IDH
Member Type: Founding, Global
Headquarters The Netherlands

IFC
Member Type: Founding, Global
Headquarters Washington, D.C.

Rikolto
Member Type: Founding, Global
Headquarters Belgium

AGRA
Member Type: Global
Headquarters Kenya

Corus International
Member Type: Global
Headquarters Washington, D.C.

ANSAF
Member Type: Local
Headquarters Tanzania

IMED Limited
Member Type: Local
Headquarters Tanzania

NEEC
Member Type: Strategic Partner
Headquarters Tanzania

TADB
Member Type: Strategic Partner
Headquarters Tanzania

TCDC
Member Type: Strategic Partner
Headquarters Tanzania
Latest Tanzania Updates
News, Case Studies, Resources & Events from the Tanzania Local Network
BICHOBS Tanzania Horticulture LIA Case Study
Rikolto’s BICHOBS project reached nearly 28,400 farmers across Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. AMEA’s latest Learning into Action case study unpacks what worked, what didn’t, and what it means for scaling BDS market systems.
Welcome TAPBDS as our Newest Network Member
L-IFT join us as a global member because it wants to become part of this network that jointly addresses agricultural development and strengthens agri-MSMEs.
Welcome IMED as our Newest Network Member
L-IFT join us as a global member because it wants to become part of this network that jointly addresses agricultural development and strengthens agri-MSMEs.
Tanzania Roadmap
AMEA Tanzania, in partnership with the National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), is proud to present a transformative Strategic Roadmap for Agriculture-Focused Business Development Services (2025-2030).
Welcome Sundy Merchants as our Newest Network Member!
We are excited to welcome Sundy Merchants Company Ltd. as the newest member of the AMEA network! Sundy Merchants brings valuable expertise in management consultancy, business development services, ICT support solutions, and agricultural system development—enhancing our collective ability to drive professional farmer organisation development.
Welcome ANSAF as our Newest Network Member!
We are excited to welcome ANSAF as the newest member of the AMEA network! ANSAF, the Agricultural Non-State Actors Forum, is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization committed to advocating for agricultural development and policy reforms that benefit smallholder producers, including women and youth.

