One day after authorities seized a shipment of smuggled cooking oil in Dar es Salaam, Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, held talks with cooking oil traders and factory owners from Zanzibar to address the issue.
Speaking at the TRA Zanzibar offices on December 17, 2025, Commissioner Mwenda said the influx of illegal cooking oil has been weakening fair competition in the market, putting consumers’ health at risk, and threatening the sustainability of local factories.
“The government’s goal is to protect Tanzanians’ health, support domestic industries, and ensure a level playing field in business, so everyone can operate freely, earn profits, and pay taxes voluntarily,” Mr. Mwenda said.
He added that TRA is looking for ways to create a friendly business environment for traders and factory owners, ensuring their contribution to the national economy is fully recognized.
“Top leaders, including President Samia Suluhu Hassan and Zanzibar’s President and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council, Dr. Ali Hassan Mwinyi, greatly value the businesses you run and are committed to ensuring you operate under favorable conditions while contributing to national revenue,” he said.
To find lasting solutions, Commissioner Mwenda announced the formation of a joint committee comprising TRA officials, cooking oil traders, and factory owners.
The committee will discuss strategies to regulate and support the cooking oil industry, curb smuggling, and boost government revenue.
Some of the traders present, including Mr. Hassan Said Ngozi and Mr. Abdurahman Alimohamed, thanked Commissioner Mwenda for establishing the committee, noting it will help eliminate smuggling and strengthen both the market and government revenue.