Zanzibar exceeds revenue targets for the past six months

Zanzibar. Zanzibar Revenue Authority (ZRA) has exceeded its revenue targets for the last six months by 4.89 percent, with the agency citing increased economic activities and voluntary compliance as factors contributing to its success.

Revenue was targeted at Sh335.382 billion during the six months to the end of December 2023, but ZRA managed to collect Sh351.768 billion, according to a statement issued on Thursday, January 4.

Compared to the similar previous period of the last financial year, revenue increased by 22.96 percent, ZRA stated.

“ZRA exceeded targets every month from July to December 2023,” it said in the statement.

ZRA said there has been an increase in infrastructure development activities in Zanzibar in line with President Hussein Ali Mwinyi’s policies.

The agency also congratulated the taxpayers for playing their part by increasing voluntary compliance.

ZRA also cited increased efficiency among its workers and appreciated partnerships with other institutions such as the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the tourism commission and the immigration department as other factors in the achievement.

Zanzibar is marking 60 years of revolution this year and three years of office under President Mwinyi, whom it said has consecutively improved revenue collections.

During the first year of Mwinyi’s administration, Zanzibar collected Sh304.342 billion, which is less than the half-year revenue in the current financial year.

ZRA said it will accelerate revenue collections during the second half of the current financial year by implementing guidelines issued by President Mwinyi and President Samia Suluhu Hassan, improving collection systems, increasing tax-paying awareness, improving professionalism among the workers and promoting voluntary compliance.