The Ministry of Finance has convened senior officials from across the public sector to address challenges in implementing Sections 56 to 60 of the Public Procurement Act, Cap. 410, which aim to promote local content and support for domestic companies and professionals.
The meeting focused on enhancing participation of local businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and special social groups in consultancy contracts, construction works, non-technical services, and supply chain activities.
Key issues discussed included national preference, use of local experts, capacity building, and allocation of small contracts to local firms and cooperatives.
Officials reviewed barriers limiting local involvement and proposed strategies to ensure that public procurement benefits Tanzanian businesses and communities.
Participants included senior officers from the Prime Minister’s Office Policy, Parliament, Coordination, and Persons with Disabilities; Prime Minister’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (TAMISEMI); Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Transport; Ministry of Construction; Ministry of Minerals; Bank of Tanzania (BOT); Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA); Public Procurement Appeals Authority (PPAA); Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA); National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF); and Rural Energy Agency (REA).
The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to empowering local firms, building domestic capacity, and ensuring fair participation in public procurement processes.