The Minister for Finance, Khamis Mussa Omar, has commended the Customs and Excise Department of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) for its strong performance in facilitating cargo entering and transiting through the country, describing the department as a key driver of national revenue growth.
During his visit to the Customs Department on February 26, 2026, in Dar es Salaam, the Minister said customs operations remain central to revenue mobilisation, noting that all imported goods must pass through the customs system before reaching the domestic market.
He said the department has played a vital role in enabling trade both domestically and across borders, while urging officials to further strengthen controls against smuggling.
He warned that goods cleared without proper customs payments end up in the market untaxed, a situation that reduces government revenue and undermines fair competition.
The Minister said Tanzania is strategically positioned to become a major trade and logistics hub for East and Central Africa, stressing that the country’s geography and natural endowments offer a significant economic advantage that must be fully harnessed.
He added that Tanzania’s access to the Indian Ocean through the Port of Dar es Salaam enables the country to serve not only neighbouring states but also several landlocked countries, further strengthening its role in regional trade.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the TRA Board of Directors, Uledi Mussa Abasi, said the number of users of Tanzania’s ports has continued to rise due to improved service delivery, assuring the Minister that the authority is steadily upgrading its tax administration systems.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner General of TRA, Yusuph Juma Mwenda, said the authority is prepared to match the growing volume of cargo handled at the Port of Dar es Salaam by ensuring faster and more efficient clearance.
He said the introduction of 24-hour service delivery is part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary delays at ports and border points, adding that the initiative will enhance trade facilitation and boost the competitiveness of Tanzania’s ports in the East and Central African region.