Tanzania’s industrial sector has recorded a significant leap, with the number of registered industries rising to 80,128 in 2025, up from 50,000 in 2020.
This remarkable growth, representing over a 60 percent increase in five years, highlights the success of government reforms aimed at improving the business environment and boosting investment under President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership.
Minister for Industry and Trade, Dr. Suleiman Jafo, revealed the figures during the opening of the second National Meeting of Trade, Investment and Industry Officers organized by Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) in Morogoro, bringing together trade officers from across the country to strategise on enhancing business facilitation and investment promotion at the local government level.
“This achievement is a clear result of the relentless work by our trade officers who act as the bridge between government and entrepreneurs,” Dr. Jafo said. “Without their dedication and close supervision, registering over 30,000 new industries within five years would not have been possible.”
He noted that Tanzania is moving beyond mere numbers, with agricultural products like Morogoro rice now reaching markets in Senegal, and maize exported to Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan. Industrial goods such as glass and gypsum are sold in Kenya and Burundi.
The steel sector boasts 24 factories producing rods used in major infrastructure projects like the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Plant, which uses exclusively local steel.
“Our sugar production has doubled at factories such as Kilombero Sugar, where annual output jumped from 130,000 to over 270,000 tonnes. By 2027, we expect to not only meet domestic demand but also start exporting sugar,” Dr. Jafo added.
Despite these gains, he cautioned that trade and industry still contribute relatively modestly to GDP, 4 percent and 7.3 percent respectively and that the government targets increasing these to at least 10 percent each.
“This will require our officers to be more professional and innovative, balancing revenue collection with advisory roles to support business growth.”
BRELA Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Nyaisa echoed the importance of professional trade officers in driving the industrial surge.
“Trade officers are the frontline in our efforts to formalise businesses. We are committed to empowering them with the right skills and tools to serve as facilitators, not just revenue collectors,” he said.
Nyaisa announced plans to reward outstanding officers with performance awards and to form a professional association to raise standards in the trade officer cadre.
He also said BRELA is finalising upgrades to its Online Registration System that will allow business owners to register and license operations through a single streamlined platform, cutting costs and red tape.
“The new motto ‘BRELA, The Gateway to Business Success’ embodies our commitment to simplify processes and support entrepreneurs across Tanzania,” Nyaisa said.
The government’s combined approach of economic diplomacy, regulatory reform, and local capacity building is seen as the driving force behind Tanzania’s growing industrial landscape.
“The increase from 50,000 to over 80,000 industries is not just a number, it represents a fundamental economic transformation under President Samia’s leadership, setting the stage for sustainable growth and regional competitiveness,” Dr. Jafo concluded.