The Zanzibar House of Representatives Committee on Tourism, Trade and Agriculture has called for significant reforms to strengthen Zanzibar’s legal metrology system, saying the region should adopt higher operational and technological standards similar to those of mainland Tanzania.
The remarks followed a study visit to the Misugusugu Weighing Centre in Pwani Region, where lawmakers assessed the operations of the Weights and Measures Agency (Weights and Measures Agency (WMA)) on April 16, 2026.
Vice Chairperson of the Committee, Dr. Mohammed Ali Suleiman, said the delegation was impressed by the level of technology used to ensure accuracy in trade measurements and protect consumers from unfair billing.
“We have seen that our counterparts have made significant progress and are using modern technology that ensures citizens pay exactly for what they consume,” he said.
He added that Zanzibar’s metrology institution, the Zanzibar Weights and Measures Agency (Zanzibar Weights and Measures Agency (ZAWEMA)), should be strengthened, made more autonomous, and equipped with modern verification systems to improve efficiency and credibility.
“Our recommendation is that ZAWEMA should be empowered and provided with modern equipment so it can perform its duties effectively, at the same level or even better,” he said.
The Committee further noted that improving measurement systems would not only enhance consumer protection but also increase government revenue by reducing losses linked to inaccurate measurements and weak enforcement.
Dr. Suleiman also emphasized the need for closer cooperation between Zanzibar and mainland institutions, noting that shared expertise could help accelerate reforms.
“The Misugusugu centre contributes significant revenue to the government. It is important that Zanzibar strengthens cooperation with WMA to achieve similar success,” he said.
On his part, WMA Chief Executive Officer Alban Kihulla said the visit reflects strong regional interest in Tanzania’s legal metrology systems and their role in safeguarding both consumers and service providers.
“We will continue to cooperate with our colleagues in Zanzibar to ensure that both the service provider and the consumer are protected,” he said.
Kihulla added that WMA and ZAWEMA already collaborate through a Memorandum of Understanding covering joint inspections, regional engagements, and technical cooperation in legal metrology, including the inspection of packaged goods.
He said WMA, which currently chairs the Southern African Development Community Legal Metrology Cooperation (SADCMEL), continues to host delegations from across the region to share best practices in measurement standards and enforcement systems.
