Unlocking the Seaweed Value Chain: Constraints and Possible Solutions in the Understudied Coastal Areas of Mainland Tanzania

Seaweed is a vital food and livelihood resource in Tanzania, with potential to strengthen and diversify food systems. It enables the production of high‐value products while delivering environmental benefits. Tanzania has witnessed promising research and advances in the seaweed value chain (VC), particularly in Zanzibar. However, critical gaps remain, including weak value chain mapping, limited analyses of constraints and potential solutions, poorly understood value distribution and insufficient attention to gender‐differentiated outcomes. This study developed a seaweed VC map, characterised stage‐specific constraints and identified potential opportunities for inclusive growth in the Kilwa and Mtwara Districts of Tanzania. We collected data from 25 purposively selected key informants and six focus group discussions involving 58 participants, and thematically analysed them. We found that the seaweed VC spans preparation to marketing, involving women producers cum processors, private input suppliers, traders, traditional drying and export‐oriented trade. Approximately 90% of national production is exported, while drying accounts for 40% of total losses. It faces systemic constraints, including weak seed systems, poor inputs and infrastructure, climate stressors, limited buyer competition, asymmetries in market power, limited finance, post‐harvest inefficiencies, skills and knowledge gaps and issues of equity, youth participation and innovation. The analysis identified value addition as the key upgrade lever, aligning with policy priorities, strengthening supply chains and markets, enabling policy incentives, adopting climate‐smart technologies, fostering public–private investment, and embedding inclusive, gender‐responsive and youth‐engaged development. This study provides critical evidence to inform targeted interventions that enhance market access, smallholder incomes, efficient resource utilisation, product availability and livelihood resilience.