The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the Tanzania Business Council (JWT) in efforts aimed at improving the business environment in the country while strengthening the fight against smuggling and tax evasion.
TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Juma Mwenda made the remarks on April 20, 2026, during a meeting held in Dar es Salaam between TRA leadership, JWT officials, and traders dealing in edible oil.
The discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between the government and the private sector to promote fair and lawful business practices.
Mwenda said sustained collaboration with traders is key to building a transparent and predictable business environment that supports investment and drives national economic growth.
He emphasized that TRA will continue engaging stakeholders to address challenges affecting trade operations and revenue collection systems.
He further addressed concerns surrounding the importation of edible oil from Zanzibar to mainland Tanzania, noting that the government, through TRA, is actively working on a solution.
According to him, the aim is to close loopholes that could lead to tax evasion and create unfair competition in the market.
JWT Chairman Khamisi Livembe expressed the readiness of traders to cooperate with TRA in eliminating smuggling, saying such practices undermine fair competition and negatively affect businesses that comply with the law.
On his part, JWT Vice Chairman Omar Hussein Mussa called on traders to operate within legal frameworks and desist from engaging in smuggling.
He stressed that paying taxes in accordance with the law is vital for national development and the long-term stability of Tanzania’s economy.
