Mwinyi cheers ZRA as revenue collection surpasses target

Unguja. Zanzibar President Hussein Mwinyi has showered praise on the Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) for its impressive performance in boosting revenue collections.

The surge has enabled his government to embark on major development projects, transforming the island's landscape.

Addressing a taxpayer appreciation summit, President Mwinyi lauded ZRA Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda for his innovative leadership and efficiency in driving revenue growth. "Your efforts are paying off," he declared, highlighting ZRA's remarkable 51percent increase in collections compared to the previous year.

Mwinyi underscored the tangible impact of this growth. He pointed out that ZRA surpassed its five-month target for the 2023/24 financial year by a staggering 104 percent, collecting Sh288 billion instead of the projected Sh276 billion.

This, he said, instilled confidence in his government's ability to secure even greater revenue in the future.

Mwinyi pointed to the visible improvements across Zanzibar, with major projects in water, roads, health, education, and even stadiums taking shape. He attributed this progress directly to efficient tax collection and responsible use of public funds.

Investing in People, Powering Performance: Recognizing ZRA's crucial role, Mwinyi directed the Minister of State to work with the Finance Ministry to improve salary scales for ZRA employees.

He further pledged to allocate 100 percent of budget resources to the Authority, emphasizing, "An institution boosting your revenue by 51 percent deserves unique support. If you want money, you have to spend money."

Zero Tolerance for Tax Dodging: However, Mwinyi issued a stern warning to any ZRA officials colluding with businesses to evade taxes. "This practice must stop," he declared, vowing to take swift action against any such misconduct.

Mwinyi warmly welcomed investors and businesses to Zanzibar, assuring them of a supportive environment and streamlined tax processes. He emphasised the government's commitment to continuously improving the business climate and facilitating smooth tax payments.

Mwenda, the ZRA chief, attributed the success to a combination of factors, including a positive business environment and effective systems that encourage tax compliance. He proudly noted that Zanzibar's 51 percent growth far exceeds the average 20% tax growth observed in other African countries.

The summit concluded with ZRA recognizing and awarding outstanding taxpayers, celebrating their crucial contribution to Zanzibar's progress.

One of the recepients of the awards, Zanzibar Maritime and Mercantile International (ZMMI), a beverage company said it was a crowning moment for every tax payer in the country to receive such an award.

"With a wide range of our stores where we supply top notch wines and spirits to hotels and restaurants across the Island, we take pride in delivering exceptional experiences, continuous growth  and professional service to the customers," said ZMMI managing director, Saleh Said.