Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission (FCC) took part in the Global Services Forum during the sixteenth session of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD XVI) in Geneva on Thursday.
The Commission was represented by Director General, Ms. Khadija Ngasongwa, who emphasized the country’s commitment to promoting fair competition and strengthening trade in services.
The Tanzanian delegation was led by Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Geneva, Dr. Abdallah Saleh Possi.
The forum focused on strategies for leveraging the services sector to support structural transformation, economic diversification, and inclusive growth in developing countries.
For Tanzania, trade in services is a growing contributor to the national economy, providing employment, boosting GDP, and supporting productive sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism through improved finance, logistics, connectivity, and technology.
Strengthening the sector is central to implementing Tanzania’s Vision 2050 and National Trade Policy (2023), as well as enhancing competitiveness and regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Ms. Ngasongwa highlighted the importance of consumer product safety, noting global efforts under “Safe Products for All” to protect consumers from unsafe goods and services.
She said ensuring product safety is crucial for building trust, supporting local industries, and safeguarding public health.
The forum also addressed the role of the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) in fostering inclusive and sustainable development.
Ms. Ngasongwa said Tanzania is committed to leveraging technology to improve service delivery, expand market access, and drive innovation, while ensuring data privacy, security, and equitable participation.
The FCC’s participation reflects Tanzania’s efforts to align domestic policies with international standards, promote fair competition, protect consumers, and support the growth of a modern, digitally enabled services sector.
