In 2025, Tanzania marked a turning point in public investment management as the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) evolved from a supervisory institution into a strategic steward of government wealth, driving value, accountability, and modernisation across public institutions.
The value of government investments under OTR oversight reached TZS 92.3 trillion, up from TZS 86.3 trillion in 2024.
This increase reflects improved operational performance and more disciplined governance in public entities and companies where the government holds minority shares.
The growth in investment value was accompanied by record financial returns, with Non-Tax Revenue collections hitting TZS 1.028 trillion by June 2025, 68 percent higher than the same period in 2024 and 34 percent above total collections in the 2023/24 fiscal year.
Dividends accounted for TZS 603.4 billion, statutory contributions of 15 percent of gross revenue added TZS 363.4 billion, and other sources contributed TZS 61 billion.
Treasury Registrar Nehemiah Mchechu said the results were driven by tighter monitoring, active engagement with boards and management, and digital tools that track obligations in real time.
He emphasised that public enterprises are now held to the same standards of performance and accountability as private-sector firms, a shift made possible through deliberate reforms.
A major milestone in 2025 was the launch of the Public Investment Management System (PIMS) in August, inaugurated by former Vice-President Dr Philip Mpango at the CEOs Forum in Arusha.
The forum brought together over 650 board chairpersons and chief executives. Dr Mpango underlined that safeguarding investments worth TZS 92.3 trillion required real-time, evidence-based monitoring rather than outdated systems.
PIMS enables faster decision-making, early identification of risks, and policy interventions guided by data, strengthening governance across public investments.
OTR also intensified the use of Key Performance Indicators and formalised board performance evaluations to ensure results are measurable, transparent, and aligned with national priorities.
A visible outcome has been the reduction in institutions operating without boards, which fell from 52 in 2019/20 to 28 in 2024/25, improving oversight, clarifying accountability, and enhancing decision-making quality.
Governance reforms extended to companies where the government holds minority shares, with the launch of an enhanced Directors’ Guideline at the Minority Interest Companies forum in March 2025, reinforcing fiduciary duty, ethical conduct, and performance oversight.
The government simultaneously expanded its strategic presence in sectors critical to national development.
In mining, state participation through OTR grew from four companies in 2019/20 to 12 by 2025, with negotiations underway for ten more agreements, reflecting a deliberate policy to secure fair value from natural resources while strengthening transparency.
In the financial sector, the government acquired a 10 percent stake in Tanzania Cooperative Bank, officially launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in April 2025.
With a total capital of TZS 58 billion, the bank combines cooperative societies, CRDB Bank, private investors, and OTR, positioning it to address financing gaps in agriculture and cooperative societies. The government’s contribution of TZS 5.8 billion demonstrated both financial commitment and strategic intent.
Recognising that policies succeed through capable leadership, OTR emphasised executive development.
In July 2025, 114 CEOs participated in the CEO Induction Programme, conducted in collaboration with the UONGOZI Institute, focusing on modern management practices, transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery.
Treasury Registrar Mchechu framed leadership as the key driver of reform, a message reinforced by Prof Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State for Planning and Investment, and Mr Juma Mkomi, Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office (Public Service Management), who stressed adherence to legal frameworks and prudent use of public resources.
The reforms earned national recognition. In December 2025, OTR was awarded second place in the Independent Government Departments category at the NBAA Best Presented Financial Statements Awards 2024, affirming its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and compliance with financial reporting standards.
Yet 2025 also brought a human reminder of the dedication required in public service, with the passing of Ms Miriam Mnzava, Chief Accountant I, whose professionalism embodied the values underpinning OTR’s reforms.
Taken together, the events of 2025 show that OTR is moving beyond custodianship toward active value creation.
By aligning financial performance with governance reforms, digital oversight, and leadership development, the Office has strengthened its role as a central pillar in Tanzania’s public investment architecture.
The challenge ahead will be to sustain these gains, ensuring long-term institutional resilience and inclusive national development.