Tanzania has expressed its commitment to strengthening fair competition and consumer protection laws by joining global efforts aimed at reforming market regulations.
The country is participating in the Ninth United Nations Conference to Review the Set of Multilaterally Agreed Equitable Principles and Rules for the Control of Restrictive Business Practices, held in Geneva from July 7 to 11, 2025.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Dr Hashil Abdallah, is leading the Tanzanian delegation to the high-level forum, representing the Minister of Industry and Trade, Dr Seleman Jafo.
Held every five years, the UN conference brings together ministers, heads of competition and consumer protection authorities, and senior government officials from UN member states to review global trends in consumer rights and market fairness.
Speaking at the forum, Dr Abdallah said Tanzania supports reforms that promote a transparent and competitive business environment. “This platform is essential for developing countries to share experiences and strengthen their legal and institutional frameworks for the benefit of consumers,” he said.
The main objective of the meeting is to encourage meaningful reforms in competition and consumer protection laws, especially in developing and least developed countries. These reforms are aimed at ensuring effective enforcement of fair trade practices, reducing market abuses, and building consumer trust.
The conference also serves as a platform to guide the work of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its technical support and capacity-building initiatives for countries working to improve their regulatory systems.
Tanzania’s participation is expected to help align its laws and policies with international standards, while enhancing the country's ability to address anti-competitive behaviour and protect consumer welfare in a growing economy.