By Alfred Zacharia
The Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) has set an ambitious target of reaching five million Tanzanians from special groups including women, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities by enhancing their participation in public procurement.
Speaking during the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF), commonly known as Sabasaba, PPRA Director General Mr. Denis Simba said the 2023 Public Procurement Act and its 2024 regulations have established a clear framework to promote economic inclusion through public spending.
“The reforms introduced are not handouts, they are deliberate efforts to correct long-standing imbalances in access to economic opportunities,” said Mr. Simba while engaging with actors from Kombolela, a popular local television drama aired on Azam TV, who visited the PPRA pavilion.
The law mandates that at least 30 percent of procurement opportunities in all public institutions from central government to local authorities and public agencies, be set aside for special groups.
Specifically, youth and persons with disabilities are each allocated 10 percent, while women and elderly groups receive 5 percent each.
Mr. Simba praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her leadership in fostering inclusive development, citing her administration’s recognition of procurement as a tool for empowering disadvantaged groups.
PPRA has adopted a multi-channel communication strategy including traditional media, online webinars, and partnerships with entertainers to raise awareness and encourage greater participation from the target groups.
Data shared by the authority reveals that the value of tenders awarded to these groups doubled from TZS 8 billion in the 2023/24 financial year to TZS 16 billion in 2024/25.
The long-term goal, Mr. Simba said, is to hit TZS 200 billion in contract value as the number of beneficiaries grows.
So far, 280 registered special groups have updated their profiles in the National e-Procurement System (NeST), securing more than 440 contracts. Of those, youth-led groups accounted for 58 percent, women-led groups 34 percent, elderly groups 6 percent, and persons with disabilities just 2 percent.
“The disparity in uptake, especially among people with disabilities—signals the urgent need for targeted education and support. Progress has been made, but more must be done to ensure equitable access for all,” Mr. Simba emphasized.