How Gilead Teri played key role in business progress

QUESTION: What undermines the growth of the private sector?

ANSWER: Simplifying processes that the public sector takes to register, maintain and expand a business is likely to be the highest factor in the growth of Tanzania’s private sector. This task is within the realm of the public sector but has the potential to unlock millions of SMEs, spur their growth, and create jobs. 

What role can foreign investors play in improving the dialogue between private and public sectors? 

Most developing countries need large capital from developed economies. With capital investments, jobs they bring and taxes they pay, investors can advise the government constructively. 

The Tanzanian economy is expected to maintain its strong growth, combined with increasing FDI inflows, thanks to the growing oil and gas industry and the healthy mining sector. 

On which sectors do you have the greatest expectations? 

Tanzania’s growth story is tremendous! With a population burst, consumer industries will be on the rise. Transport, construction as well as financial services will experience an upswing. Private investment will be needed in health facilities and education. I would not rule out demand-induced growth in agriculture - the mother of all sectors. 

Share an experience in which your understanding of a challenge has helped your organisation to respond to it. 

At TPSF we are bestowed upon the trust of our members to speak the truth about their challenges to the government. We are also bestowed the trust of the government to explain and report back reasons behind most government decisions that affect the private sector. It is a very fine line to walk in without leaning on one side. I research before I speak, I consult with respect. I communicate with clarity. That’s how you maintain trust and confidence between business and government. 

Tell me about an effective recommendation, policy, or plan you formulated which solved an economic problem or interpreted a market. 

My proudest moment was on June 8, 2017 when the minister of Finance read his budget speech. Had the minister not adopted recommendations we made to revive some sectors, it was highly likely the economy would have gone in a recession. Banking, transit trade, manufacturing as well as agriculture got a boost because of the reforms we pushed for and got adopted by the government. 

Share an effective method you have used to compile, analyse and report data to explain economic phenomena and forecast market trends. How do you apply mathematical models and statistical techniques? 

In my line of work, I prefer human stories to statistical models. Many people explain things with numbers - but really they numbers sometimes don’t tell the whole truth. If a person who owns a small shop and has three kids to feed has to close his shop for one day to go get a business license, you have made that family go hungry that day. For me, that is important than saying it takes one day to register a business. 

Tell me about a time when you developed your own way of doing things or were self-motivated to finish an important task. 

I have worked for private sector development my entire career because I believe, in today’s global economy, if we do not strategically engage, we shall be left out. A thought of a nation of 54 million being left behind is sufficient to make me wake up early every day. 

If we can make one business invest or grow, we can get one young person employed, we can put food on the table for one more family, and we can help one more person go to school through taxes he/she will pay. This I believe. 

Please share with me an example of how you helped coach or mentor someone. What improvements did you see in the person’s knowledge or skills? 

Getting the job done is one thing, but team growth and progress is a must. I make sure all my colleagues have a learning agenda for the year - and I painfully hold them to account. I give them freedom to expose their talent but also solid targets so we don’t deviate in wishful thinking. My staff, above all, are my friends. We are doing a far important task for changing our country; we might as well be friends as we do it.