Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance has called on accounting officers across public institutions and local government authorities to rigorously apply the recently amended Public Procurement Act (Cap. 410) to improve supply chain governance and ensure greater value for public spending.
Deputy Permanent Secretary Jenifa Christian Omolo, speaking during the launch of a supply chain training program for media editors in Morogoro, emphasized that full compliance with the law is essential for accountability and service delivery.
“The law has been revised to address previous inefficiencies, and we’ve now built institutional capacity across all local authorities,” Omolo said.
“Procurement is just one component of the broader supply chain. What matters is ensuring that goods and services procured actually reach and benefit the public.”he added
She cited systemic weaknesses that have historically led to the loss or misuse of government resources—particularly in sectors such as health, where delays or breakdowns in logistics have contributed to medicine shortages in rural clinics.
“When we procure medical supplies, we must ensure proper storage, distribution, and timely delivery to health centers. The same goes for government vehicles they must be registered, maintained, used efficiently, and disposed of responsibly when obsolete,” she added.
The Tanzanian government has faced recurring challenges linked to procurement irregularities, often resulting in financial losses and failure to meet basic service obligations.
Officials now hope that stricter enforcement of the amended law will improve transparency, reduce waste, and restore public trust in government spending.
Dr. Frederick Mwakibinga, Commissioner for Public Procurement Policy at the Ministry of Finance, stressed that procurement is merely the entry point of a much larger supply chain cycle.
“Once goods or services are acquired, it is imperative that they are tracked through to final delivery,” he said. “Weaknesses in this chain can undermine the entire procurement system.”
He noted that part of the government’s strategy includes equipping journalists and editors with the knowledge to scrutinize procurement and supply chain practices, increasing public awareness and fostering accountability.
“Public procurement is financed by taxpayer funds, and at times, external borrowing,” Dr. Mwakibinga said.
“That makes it critical to ensure that every shilling is spent effectively, and that the end-users citizens receive the intended benefits.”
The Tanzanian government has been working to digitize procurement processes and bolster institutional oversight in an effort to modernize public financial management.
The supply chain training is part of a broader initiative to professionalize procurement and align it with international standards.
Ben Mwang’onda, who spoke on behalf of the editors attending the training, praised the ministry’s initiative.
“As the institution responsible for national development strategy, the Ministry of Finance plays a vital role in safeguarding economic integrity. This kind of engagement with the media is crucial for promoting transparency,” he said.
Tanzania’s renewed focus on procurement reform comes as the government seeks to increase efficiency in public spending amid growing pressure to deliver services in a challenging fiscal environment.