President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, has directed a nationwide improvement and formalization of markets used by Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe, saying the move is aimed at strengthening small-scale businesses and improving working conditions for thousands of food vendors across the country.
The President issued the directive on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Dar es Salaam during the National Conference of Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe, where she stressed the need for structured, safe, and well-serviced trading spaces that reflect the importance of the sector in the national economy.
She instructed the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Regional Administration and Local Government, Professor Riziki Shemdoe, to work closely with Regional and District Commissioners to identify, allocate, and develop all requested trading areas for food vendors across the country.
President Samia said many Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe have for years operated in informal environments that lack proper infrastructure, and it is now time for the government to ensure they are supported with organized and dignified working spaces.
She emphasized that the planned improvements must include essential facilities such as clean water, sanitation services, proper waste management systems, and safe cooking areas.
She also called for stronger promotion of clean cooking energy to protect both vendors and customers from health risks associated with unsafe cooking methods.
“Upgrading these markets is not only about infrastructure, but also about protecting health, improving dignity, and strengthening livelihoods,” she said.
The President further directed the Ministry of Health to intensify public education on food safety and nutrition.
She said this will help ensure that food prepared and sold by Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe meets required health standards, while also safeguarding consumers across the country.
In addition, President Samia tasked the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, in collaboration with other government institutions and the private sector, to roll out structured training programmes on entrepreneurship and business management.
She said the training should help vendors manage their capital effectively, improve business skills, and grow their income in a sustainable way.
The President also directed the Ministry of Finance, working with relevant authorities, to strengthen policies that promote financial inclusion for small-scale traders.
She said Mama Lishe and Baba Lishe should be able to easily access financial services to expand their businesses and contribute more effectively to the economy.
Earlier, during the conference, the Chairperson of the Mama Lishe Association, Julieth Malata, presented key requests to the President, calling for major improvements in several markets including Kigamboni Ferry, Buguruni and Magomeni in Dar es Salaam, Sabasaba in Mwanza, Kilombero in Arusha, and Mlango wa Chuma in Tanga, among others.
The association also appealed for the construction of modern multi-storey market facilities that are inclusive and friendly to vendors with disabilities, noting that accessibility remains a major challenge in many trading areas.
President Samia’s directives are expected to pave the way for a nationwide transformation of informal food vending spaces into safer, better organized, and economically productive markets, strengthening one of the most important grassroots sectors of Tanzania’s economy.
