Suppliers and entrepreneurs aiming to work with ministries, public institutions, and government agencies have been urged to seize the opportunity presented by the 49th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (DITF) popularly known as Sabasaba to access accurate information on procurement policies, laws, and procedures.
The call was made by Dr. Frederick Mwakibinga, Commissioner for Public Procurement Policy at the Ministry of Finance, during his official visit to the Ministry’s pavilion at the ongoing exhibition hosted by TANTRADE in Dar es Salaam.
He said the fair provides a strategic platform for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of government procurement systems and enhance their competitiveness when bidding for public tenders.
Dr. Mwakibinga noted that the Public Procurement Policy Department under his leadership is responsible for formulating the National Supply Chain Management Policy, along with related regulations and guidelines.
These tools are designed to promote the active participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the public procurement ecosystem.
“Understanding the policy and regulatory environment is crucial for suppliers who want to do business with the government effectively and sustainably,” he said.
He encouraged citizens and business owners to visit the Ministry’s pavilion to access comprehensive information from various departments and institutions operating under the Ministry of Finance.
He emphasized that while it is often difficult to obtain all relevant procurement information from one source, the Sabasaba fair brings together multiple agencies offering coordinated guidance.
Among the key institutions represented at the Ministry’s booth are the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Government Procurement Services Agency (GPSA), Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA), and the Procurement and Supplies Professionals and Technicians Board (PSPTB).
These bodies collectively oversee the regulatory, operational, and capacity-building aspects of public procurement in Tanzania.
Dr. Mwakibinga reiterated that one of the primary objectives of the Ministry is to create an enabling environment for inclusive economic participation.
Through effective policy frameworks, the government aims to empower more Tanzanians to benefit from supply chain opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.
During his tour, the Commissioner also visited other exhibitors, including the National Insurance Corporation (NIC), Vodacom Tanzania, Lazziz Bakery, the Bank of Tanzania (BoT), the Deposit Insurance Board, and the Zanzibar Ministry of Trade and Industrial Development. He commended their presence, noting the value of cross-sector collaboration in national economic growth.
The Ministry’s pavilion also hosts several financial, regulatory, and investment institutions, such as the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA), Unit Trust of Tanzania – Asset Management and Investor Services (UTT AMIS), SELF Microfinance Fund, Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA), and the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX).
Additional institutions include the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Capital Markets Tribunal (CMT), TIB Development Bank, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and Hazina SACCOS.
Dr. Mwakibinga concluded by stressing the importance of public awareness in procurement matters, encouraging visitors to explore the resources available and ask questions that will help them navigate government procurement processes more effectively.
He affirmed the Ministry’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and the empowerment of local suppliers in public markets.