The Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) has been recognized for its exemplary financial stewardship after winning the 2025 Award for Best Financial Management in the Non-Commercial Institutions category.
The accolade was announced during the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) Forum held in Arusha.
The award was presented on Sunday by Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango on behalf of Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu at the official opening of the two-day forum at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
Receiving the award on behalf of TFS Conservation Commissioner Prof. Dos Santos Silayo was TFS Advisory Board member Adv. Piensia Christopher Kiure, accompanied by Senior Deputy Commissioner for Finance and Chief Accountant, SACC Peter Mwakosya.
Mchechu said the competition was intense, involving several non-commercial institutions that demonstrated excellence in financial management and efforts to reduce reliance on the government budget.
“The category featured five top-performing institutions TIRA, BRELA, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Tanzania Tobacco Board (TTB), and TFS. NBS ranked third, TTB came second, while TFS emerged the overall winner,” he said.
According to Mchechu, the evaluation focused on accountability, good governance, and prudent use of financial resources rather than revenue size alone.
Adv. Kiure said the award reflects the agency’s long-standing financial discipline since its establishment in 2011.
“For 14 consecutive years, TFS has received clean audit opinions from the Controller and Auditor General (CAG), while its revenues have grown at an average of 10 percent annually. We have strengthened revenue collection and financial management systems, guided by directives from the board, the ministry, and national leadership,” she said.
She added that TFS has gained international recognition through partnerships with countries such as Brazil and Russia, aimed at sharing expertise in forestry management, further enhancing its reputation globally.
“This achievement motivates us to continue educating the public on compliance with government regulations in forest harvesting and trade. Our collaboration with communities continues to improve, and we anticipate even greater milestones ahead,” she stressed.
In addition to TFS’s win, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism also received a performance award in recognition of its overall achievements.
The award was received by Deputy Minister Dunstan Kitandula on behalf of Minister Pindi Hazara Chana.
The CEOs Forum, which brought together board chairpersons and senior executives from various government institutions, focused on strengthening accountability and governance across the public sector.