By Charles Mkoka
The Foundation for Civil Society (FCS) and the Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (TCCIA) have joined forces in a landmark partnership to champion inclusive, consumer-centered trade in Tanzania.
Backed by Trademark Africa and funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Ireland, and Norway, the initiative aims to empower marginalized groups, including women, youth, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and persons with disabilities (PWDs), by creating equal opportunities in trade and economic development.
During the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Dar es Salaam, FCS Executive Director Justice Rutenge highlighted the significance of strategic collaborations in driving sustainable development and fostering economic growth.
Drawing on FCS’s extensive two-decade experience in grants management and civil society engagement, Rutenge underscored the organization’s pivotal role in advancing citizen agency and ensuring inclusive development for all Tanzanians.
This partnership, leveraging TCCIA’s extensive network of over 30,000 business community members across 26 regions and more than 120 district branches, promises to amplify the voices of traders and enhance consumer protection.
Rutenge emphasized that this collaboration aligns seamlessly with FCS’s mission to promote equity and empowerment through initiatives targeting marginalized groups. He expressed confidence that the partnership would catalyze transformative change, particularly for women, youth, and PWD-led enterprises.
TCCIA President Vincent Minja reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to supporting businesses and fostering inclusive trade practices. Minja outlined plans to advocate for a National Consumer Protection Policy, represent traders in ministerial and parliamentary dialogues, and develop tailored training programs to empower women, youth, and PWDs in sustainable trade and cross-border commerce.
He also emphasized the importance of business literacy, digital tools, and green trade ventures to unlock opportunities for underrepresented groups.
This partnership also complements FCS’s earlier collaborations with the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority Consumer Consultative Council and the Land Transport Regulatory Authority Consumer Consultative Council. These agreements collectively aim to protect consumer rights and advance inclusive trade policies.
By uniting their strengths, FCS and TCCIA are set to create a robust framework for consumer protection, raise public awareness about consumer rights, and foster stronger ties between civil society, the private sector, and regulatory bodies.
Through advocacy, capacity-building, and innovative programs, this partnership marks a bold step toward building a more inclusive and equitable trade environment in Tanzania.