The trade fair famously known as sabasaba started in 1962 as National Agriculture Trade Fair (NATF) at Ministry of Trade and Cooperative Union Grounds. The fair aimed at promoting agriculture and cooperation.
In 1978 the government established Board of External Trade (BET) through Act no.5,and entrusted with export.Board of External Trade was also entrusted with promoting global business cooperation through trade fairs and research.
In recent years the trade show involve almost 20 countries from South African Development Cooperation the fair is also known as Dar es salaam International Trade Fair ,and the ground as Mwl.Nyerere ground.