• MINISTER OF FINANCE COMMENDS H.E. THE PRESIDENT FOR INVESTMENT IN TAX COLLECTION SYSTEMS

The Minister of Finance of the United Republic of Tanzania, Hon. Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar, has commended the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, for investing in tax collection systems for the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

While opening the meeting to review TRA’s performance for the mid-year period of the 2025/2026 financial year, covering July–December, held on 5 January 2026 in Arusha City, the Minister said that the investment in systems made by President Samia has brought major transformations in tax revenue collection.

“I sincerely commend H.E. the President for the investment she made in tax systems, and the results are evident. The large revenues you have collected are the fruits of investing in tax systems,” said Ambassador Omar.

He noted that TRA systems have been integrated with those of some institutions and called on institutions that are not yet connected to do so, in order to enable government institutions to share information. This, he said, will ease operations and increase efficiency.

The Minister added that the use of systems in revenue collection will enhance transparency and close loopholes for corruption and tax evasion, since taxpayers’ information will be shared across all systems.

He further stated that the significant collections that have enabled TRA to exceed its targets for 18 consecutive months are a result of the use of tax collection systems.

Additionally, he commended the prevailing stability in tax collection and urged TRA to continue providing tax education to citizens in order to expand the tax base.

In another development, Ambassador Omar urged TRA to cooperate with TISEZA in creating an attractive environment for investors, who will later contribute to tax revenues.

On his part, the TRA Commissioner General, Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, said that voluntary tax compliance continues to improve in the country, reflecting the success of efforts to provide tax education to the public.

He said that many taxpayers now view paying taxes voluntarily as a positive practice, which has contributed to success in revenue collection and strengthened the relationship between TRA and the business community.

He added that, in addition to its core responsibility of collecting taxes, TRA has been emphasizing service facilitation, listening to taxpayers, and improving the business environment—steps that have increased public trust.

The Commissioner General promised that TRA will continue to work transparently and professionally with taxpayers and other stakeholders to sustain existing achievements and promote voluntary compliance for national development.

The meeting, which is held twice a year, on this occasion involved leaders of business associations, factory owners, and the private sector, who praised TRA’s performance and pledged continued cooperation to expand the tax base.

“We are ready to cooperate with TRA to expand the tax base by involving the private sector,” said Mr. Vicent Minja, President of TCCIA.

“We acknowledge that we have good cooperation with TRA and we highly commend it for the strong revenue collection towards enabling Tanzania to be economically self-reliant,” said Mr. Hussein Sufian, Chairman of the Confederation of Industries (CTI).

The President of the Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), Ms. Angelina Ngalula, stated openly that she had previously raised complaints against TRA, but currently she has no complaints and everything is going well.

Ms. Ngalula commended TRA for conducting large-scale tax collection without coercion, which has brought stability to tax collection and business operations in the country.