By Alfred Zacharia
Tanzania Fair Competition Commission (FCC) has officially received a contractor to
implement a landmark automation project aimed at digitizing its operational
systems paving the way for a more modern, efficient, and responsive regulatory
body.
The move
comes under a $600,000 grant from TradeMark Africa (TMA), with local tech firm ICTPACK
being selected to execute the project.
While the contract
is still under discussion and yet to be signed, stakeholders met in Dar es
Salaam on May 22, 2025, for a strategic working session to review the inception
report and align on the project’s implementation framework and timelines.
“This is a
strategic milestone for us. We now have a contractor in place, and today we’re
reviewing the inception report and the draft contract to ensure we’re fully
aligned before formalizing the agreement,” said FCC Director General William
Erio.
Once
launched, the project will transform FCC’s core operations from case management
to compliance monitoring into a fully digital, automated environment.
The
two-year implementation period includes one year for system development and a
second for knowledge transfer to FCC staff, ensuring sustainability.
Erio revealed that approximately 75 percent of preparatory work has already been completed, expressing hope that the timeline could be shortened to reflect the urgency of embracing digital transformation.
“In today’s fast-changing tech landscape, two and a half years could make us obsolete. My preference is to complete the project as early as possible so that FCC can start benefiting from these systems. I encourage increasing work hours where needed and holding frequent technical sessions to move faster without compromising quality,” he said.
The $600,000 grant from TMA removes a significant financial burden from the government and allows the FCC to focus on its regulatory mission.
“These are
funds FCC would have needed to seek from the government. Instead, we can now
channel public resources to other national needs,” Erio said, commending TMA
for its ongoing support in strengthening trade facilitation systems in
Tanzania.
Speaking
during the session, project manager from ICTPACK Mr. Renatus Ng’homi presented
the inception report, outlining the technical roadmap, resource allocation, and
project governance structure.
The report
will serve as a baseline for finalizing the contract and launching
implementation.
FCC
emphasized the importance of quality and timeliness, with Erio pledging full
cooperation and urging ICTPACK to deliver a system that meets the highest
standards.
“Let this
be a best-practice model within the Ministry of Industry and Trade. We want to
provide Tanzanians with seamless services and we can achieve that through
well-built digital systems,” he said.
Representing
the TMA Country Director Erick, Ms. Lilian Masalu reaffirmed the organization's
commitment to simplifying trade processes through digital innovation.
“Our goal is to make business easier. That means supporting institutions like FCC to operate digitally and efficiently. We began with a detailed feasibility study, selected ICTPACK through a competitive process, and structured the project to include a robust capacity-building component,” she said.
She added
that TMA has assembled a dedicated team to work alongside FCC’s ICT department
throughout the process, ensuring shared learning and accountability.
“We will
be working within set deadlines and delivering quality at each stage. The end
goal is not just technology, but a stronger FCC,” she said.
With a
contractor now in place and donor backing secured, FCC is poised to enter a new
digital chapter that aligns with Tanzania’s broader goals for public sector
transformation and economic competitiveness.
Erio
closed the session by emphasizing that embracing modern ICT is not optional but
essential.
“In
institutions I’ve worked with, ICT has always been a game-changer. It’s time
FCC reaps those same benefits—this project must set us apart as a digital
leader,” he said.
