The Commissioner General of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Mr Yusuph Juma Mwenda, has urged TRA staff to maintain professionalism, integrity and diligence to ensure improved government revenue collection in the second half of the 2025/26 financial year.
Mr Mwenda made the call on Friday while closing the TRA Mid-Year Performance Review Meeting for the 2025/26 financial year, held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).
He said revenue collection is a shared responsibility of all TRA employees, not only tax officers, and stressed the need for teamwork across the institution.
He noted that every TRA employee has a role to play in achieving the authority’s target of collecting Sh36.066 trillion in the 2025/26 financial year, calling on staff to apply creativity, professionalism and strong ethical standards in their daily duties.
Mr Mwenda said efficient tax collection is critical to national development, expressing optimism that improved systems and commitment from staff will help the country reduce reliance on external funding.
“I look forward to a day when TRA enables our country to fully rely on its own revenues,” he said, underscoring the importance of domestic resource mobilisation in building a self-reliant economy.
On strategies for the second half of the financial year, the Commissioner General said TRA will continue strengthening the use of digital systems in tax administration.
He highlighted the Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS), which is expected to officially begin operations on February 9, 2026, as a key reform aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and compliance.
He added that the authority will intensify efforts to combat tax evasion, curb smuggling, strengthen border controls and enhance staff capacity through continuous professional development.
He also emphasised the need to ensure that TRA employees are adequately equipped with modern tools to perform their duties effectively.
Mr Mwenda further commended the Sixth Phase Government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan for approving the recruitment of new TRA staff, saying the move would strengthen the authority’s capacity to meet its revenue targets.
He urged leaders to closely supervise and mentor the new employees to ensure they deliver value.
Speaking at the meeting, TRA Deputy Commissioner General Mr Mcha Hassan Mcha called on staff to improve services to taxpayers, expand the tax base and remain vigilant against various forms of tax evasion.
He said quality service delivery is essential in strengthening trust between TRA and taxpayers, which is vital for sustainable revenue growth.
Meanwhile, TRA Director of Human Resources and Administration Mr Moshi Jonathan Kabengwe congratulated participants for their active engagement during the meeting and urged them to implement resolutions agreed upon to enable TRA to continue surpassing its revenue targets.
He also praised TRA staff due to retire in 2026, noting that they have left a strong legacy of service.
The five-day meeting brought together 477 participants from TRA offices across the country to review performance for the first half of the 2025/26 financial year and set priorities for the remaining period.