The Minister of Finance and Planning of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Hon. Dr. Saada Mkuya Salum, has commended the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) in Zanzibar for surpassing its tax collection targets for the 2024/2025 financial year, enabling the Government to implement development projects for the benefit of the citizens.

While opening the annual review meeting of TRA Zanzibar held at Madinat Al Bahr in Zanzibar on July 19, 2025, Dr. Mkuya stated that TRA has played a significant role in enabling the implementation of development projects, and thus, the tax collection efforts made by TRA staff should be applauded.

“There are many infrastructure projects being implemented here in Zanzibar; these are the results of taxes, and I support the directive given by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa Majaliwa that projects implemented through tax funds should have signboards,  this will motivate people to pay taxes,” said Dr. Mkuya.

She emphasized that many of the plans set by the Government depend on TRA for domestic revenues, which originates from tax collections, making it a reliable source of income. She urged TRA staff not to work routinely but to continue exceeding collection targets, which have been increasing each year.

“As we enter the new financial year, you should identify new sources of revenue, considering social changes where many economic activities are now conducted online, we must follow them there,” she added.

She also called on TRA staff to maintain close relationships with taxpayers to continue promoting a culture of voluntary tax compliance.

Dr. Mkuya congratulated the Taxpayer Education and Communication Department for continuing to provide tax education to the public through various means, which has helped increase taxpayer awareness.

On his part, the TRA Commissioner General, Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, said that in the new financial year 2025/2026, TRA aims to increase tax collections by broadening the tax base rather than raising tax rates.

He stated that for the 2025/2026 financial year, TRA is committed to expanding the tax base to meet collection targets and promote equity in taxation.

He added that TRA plans to continue facilitating businesses and supporting compliant taxpayers to maintain their compliance, assisting those who struggle to pay, and ensuring that those unwilling to pay are brought into compliance according to the law, in order to promote fairness.

Commissioner General Mwenda noted that Zanzibar has many tourism activities with great potential to boost tax revenue. He announced the new tax collection target for Zanzibar as TZS 825.77 billion, up from TZS 647 billion collected in the 2024/2025 financial year, an achievement representing 108% of the original TZS 600 billion target.

He commended TRA Zanzibar staff for their efforts in increasing tax collections and emphasized that the major task ahead is to expand the tax base by bringing those who do not pay taxes into the tax net.

The Commissioner General also expressed gratitude to Zanzibar’s taxpayers for continuing to trust and cooperate with TRA.

Earlier in the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner General of TRA, Mr. Mcha Hassan Mcha, thanked and acknowledged the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar for enabling TRA Zanzibar to carry out its duties effectively.

End.