FCC applauds ALAF’s investment and quality commitment amid push to protect local industry

Dar es Salaam. The Fair Competition Commission (FCC) has commended ALAF Limited for its continued commitment to quality and innovation, describing the company’s investment in advanced manufacturing technologies as a model for the local industry.

The praise came during an official visit to ALAF’s Dar es Salaam factory on Wednesday, April 23, 2024, where FCC officials lauded the manufacturer’s efforts to produce internationally certified building materials while also highlighting the need to protect such companies from unfair trade practices.

Leading the visit was the FCC’s Director for Restrictive Trade Practices, Magdalena Utouh, who represented the Commission’s Director General, William Erio. She noted that ALAF’s recent investment in a state-of-the-art colour line technology was not only impressive but also critical for Tanzania’s industrial competitiveness.

“ALAF has invested significantly in modernising its production lines, especially with the new colour technology for roofing sheets,” Utouh said during the tour.

“It would be unjust to allow counterfeiters to erode this progress. As a commission, we are committed to ensuring fair competition and protecting manufacturers who are producing quality products for Tanzanians and beyond.”

She reaffirmed that the FCC’s role includes ensuring that consumers receive value for money while promoting a healthy and competitive business environment.

Utouh further called on the public to remain alert and report counterfeit goods, stressing that support for genuine local manufacturers like ALAF is vital for national development.

“We encourage consumers to choose quality, homegrown products. ALAF’s coloured roofing sheets, now produced right here in Tanzania, meet international standards and offer a reliable alternative to imports,” she said.

The visit was part of the FCC’s ongoing collaboration with stakeholders in the manufacturing sector. It also served as a platform for discussions on how to jointly address the growing challenge of counterfeit construction materials in the local market.

Utouh said the Commission was impressed by ALAF’s operations after seeing the production process first-hand. She also noted that both parties had agreed on practical steps to curb the distribution and sale of counterfeit products that pose a risk to consumers and undermine local businesses.

In response to the FCC’s visit, ALAF’s External Affairs Manager, Hawa Bayumi, expressed gratitude for the support the company continues to receive from the Commission. She said the partnership has been instrumental in creating a fair playing field for genuine manufacturers and urged regulators to continue tightening oversight in the sector.

“When we operate in a fair and transparent market, it becomes easier for companies like ALAF to invest further,” Bayumi said. “The launch of our new colour line plant is a testament to our belief in the Tanzanian market. We’re encouraging the public to choose locally produced roofing materials—not only because of their quality, but also because doing so helps fuel economic growth and job creation.”

Bayumi added that with the new facility operational, ALAF now has the capacity to exceed Tanzania’s annual demand for coloured roofing sheets, which currently stands at around 130,000 tonnes. She stressed that this expansion would reduce dependence on imported materials and help meet regional construction needs.

Established in 1960, ALAF has evolved into one of Tanzania’s most prominent building solutions providers. Its product portfolio has grown to include pre-painted and Alu-Zinc coated roofing products, pipes and structural sections, cold-rolled materials, light-gauge steel trusses, framing systems, cold-formed pre-engineered buildings, and other structural steel components.

Bayumi emphasized that the company’s strategic investments in technology and its commitment to continuous improvement align closely with Tanzania’s national vision for industrialization and infrastructure development. “We are proud to contribute to building the future of this country—one roof at a time,” she said.

The FCC, for its part, has reiterated its commitment to shielding local industries from unfair practices, including the infiltration of counterfeit products that not only harm legitimate businesses but also endanger consumers.

“This is not merely about business—it’s about protecting innovation, livelihoods, and the broader Tanzanian economy,” Utouh concluded, calling on consumers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies to stand united in support of quality and fairness in the marketplace.

As Tanzania continues to promote industrial growth and self-reliance, partnerships between regulators and manufacturers like ALAF signal a positive direction for the country’s economic future.