President Samia opens new Kariakoo Market strengthening economy and supporting traders

By The Respondents Reporter

President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, today officially inaugurated the new Kariakoo Central Market in Dar es Salaam, underlining its role in strengthening the business environment, boosting economic productivity, and safeguarding traders’ investments.

The new market is part of the government’s commitment to restore Kariakoo following the devastating fire in July 2021. 

Built to modern standards, it features enhanced safety systems, high-quality infrastructure, and facilities designed to meet the needs of today’s traders and customers.

“Rebuilding Kariakoo Market reflects the government’s determination to support trade, protect capital, and modernize business operations,” President Samia said. 

She emphasized that the market is a national and regional trade hub, connecting producers, distributors, sellers, and buyers from across Tanzania and beyond.

President Samia called on market management to uphold principles of efficiency, discipline, and fair competition. 

She praised the Prime Minister’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Government (PMO-RALG), contractors, and project supervisors for delivering a market with world-class infrastructure, security systems, and social amenities.

“I am pleased with the mother-and-child facilities, including breastfeeding rooms. I also urge management to set aside dedicated spaces for children of women doing business here,” she said.

To ensure smooth operations, President Samia stressed the importance of functional fire and emergency systems, organized schedules for loading and unloading goods, and measures to reduce congestion for both pedestrians and vehicles.

On product quality and safety, she instructed responsible institutions to maintain high standards, noting that Kariakoo is an internationally recognized market that must operate with integrity and accountability.

The President directed PMO-RALG to oversee fair and transparent allocation of business spaces, protecting existing traders and preventing favoritism. 

She warned: “I do not want to hear of leaders allocating spaces for themselves or others. The Kariakoo Market Authority must lease spaces directly to traders in a transparent manner, with all revenue and allocation processes visible to the public.”

Regarding revenue collection, President Samia urged accountability and the use of digital systems. She instructed the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to collaborate with local governments to collect revenue efficiently, while calling on traders to pay taxes on time and voluntarily.

Concluding her remarks, President Samia said the new Kariakoo Market is a strategic national investment that must be protected, maintained, and efficiently managed to continue serving as an engine of economic growth and a model for modern markets across Africa.

The inauguration was attended by Prime Minister Dr. Mwigulu Lameck Nchemba, government ministers, regional and district commissioners, members of parliament, senior officials, political leaders, security agencies, private sector representatives, Kariakoo traders, and citizens.

Kariakoo is a vital economic hub and tax collection center, served by TRA through its Kariakoo Tax Region, Central and Large Taxpayer Departments, and Customs. 

It also acts as a distribution center for goods to all regions of Tanzania and Zanzibar, directly supporting production, employment, and government revenue.

Data shows that Kariakoo contributes an average of TZS 13 billion in direct revenue each month, with indirect contributions of at least TZS 500 billion through customs, large and central taxpayers, and other tax systems nationwide.