Dar es Salaam. The government will strengthen and refine key policies to accelerate the growth of manufacturing industries as part of broader efforts to expand the national economy and boost export capacity, the Minister for Industry and Trade said yesterday.
The announcement comes just days after President Samia Suluhu Hassan cautioned that Tanzania should brace for reduced donor funding following the October 29 election-related violence.
While acknowledging the significant role development partners have played in supporting national priorities, she said the country must now intensify domestic resource mobilisation, strengthen local industries, and reinforce economic self-reliance.
According to the President, the government is ready to implement strategic measures to safeguard economic stability despite the anticipated decline in external financial support.
Against this backdrop, Industry and Trade minister Judith Kapinga said her ministry continues to play a central role in driving economic growth, noting that multiple indicators contribute to national financial strength beyond government revenue and domestic collections.
“Currently, the industrial and trade sector contributes between 24 and 28 percent of foreign earnings, underscoring its importance to the economy,” she said.
Ms Kapinga added that Tanzania’s long-term strategy is to continue expanding and modernising the industrial sector.
Sustained growth, she said, will increase foreign exchange earnings, create jobs, and widen the domestic revenue base.
She stressed that the government remains committed to implementing sustainable policies and introducing new interventions as the business environment evolves.
Given the sector’s collaborative nature, she said efforts are underway to improve coordination, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and create a more conducive environment for entrepreneurs, investors, and local businesses.
By establishing more industries, Ms Kapinga said, Tanzania will raise the production of raw materials, enhance value addition, and boost national income — ultimately strengthening the country’s foreign revenue position.
She added that the government plans to increase the number of special investment zones (clusters) to stimulate production, create employment, and grow national income.
These measures, combined with more citizen- and business-friendly policies, are expected to reduce bureaucracy, improve the business environment, and drive growth in exports.
Other strategies include ensuring operational sustainability across institutions and adopting alternative communication methods to reach consumers, as traditional channels such as SMS and phone calls increasingly face limitations.
Meanwhile, Fair Competition Commission (FCC) Deputy Director General Hadija Ngasongwa said the agency is finalising plans to establish the National Consumer Advocacy Council, a body intended to strengthen consumer representation and bolster oversight of business practices nationwide.
Speaking during the minister’s visit to the FCC offices in Dar es Salaam, Ms Ngasongwa said the council will support the commission’s regulatory role and help enhance responsiveness to consumer needs.
“The goal is to create a proper framework that empowers consumers to defend their interests in line with their needs, while also enabling us as the authority to regulate businesses effectively,” she said.
She added that improving the institution’s efficiency, strengthening administrative systems, and ensuring timely execution of responsibilities remain top priorities.
The FCC also plans to intensify efforts against counterfeit products while expanding the use of social media and enhancing collaboration with the private sector to improve communication and service delivery.
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