Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila has called on business leaders and the public to continue safeguarding peace and stability, describing them as the most important ingredients for economic growth, investment and business prosperity.
Speaking at the opening of the Dar es Salaam Regional Business Council meeting held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Mr Chalamila said Tanzania's peaceful environment remains a key competitive advantage that has enabled businesses to flourish and attracted investors from within and outside the country.
He stressed that no meaningful economic activity can thrive in the absence of peace and security.
“Peace and stability are the foundation of all business and economic activities. Without peace, businesses cannot operate effectively, investments are discouraged and economic growth becomes difficult to sustain,” he said.
The Regional Commissioner identified three key drivers of economic development: peace and stability, sound business policies and strong cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Mr Chalamila also outlined several challenges that require joint efforts from government institutions and the business community to ensure Dar es Salaam remains a vibrant commercial hub.
Among them are traffic congestion, security concerns in major trading centres and the need to improve urban infrastructure.
He said the regional administration is implementing measures aimed at transforming Dar es Salaam into a smart city, including the installation of modern surveillance systems to enhance security in commercial areas such as Kariakoo.
According to him, strengthening safety in business districts will help protect traders, boost investor confidence and improve the overall business environment.
The Regional Commissioner further raised concerns over the limited tax-paying culture among some citizens, noting that tax revenues remain critical for financing national development projects and improving public services.
He urged Tanzanians to embrace tax compliance as a civic responsibility that contributes directly to the country's development agenda.
“Taxes are the backbone of development. They finance infrastructure, education, healthcare and other essential services that benefit all citizens,” he said.
Mr Chalamila also called for stronger collaboration among key government institutions, including the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) and local government authorities, to address business challenges and create a more enabling environment for investors and entrepreneurs.
With Tanzania set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he encouraged businesses to prepare early and position themselves to benefit from the opportunities expected to arise from the continental tournament.
The Chairman of the Tanzania Business Platform (JWT), Mr Yusuph Yenga, urged authorities to speed up the issuance of construction permits, particularly for investment projects, to enable businesses to capitalize on opportunities linked to AFCON 2027.
Mr Yenga also called for measures to strengthen export trade, citing concerns from exporters regarding requirements related to documentation for goods destined for foreign markets.
Responding to the concerns, TRA representative for the five tax regions in Dar es Salaam, Mr Festus Patta, explained that export procedures require traders to issue invoices for products being exported, as these serve as proof of commercial transactions.
He assured stakeholders that TRA would continue engaging with the business community to address challenges and improve the efficiency of export processes.
The meeting brought together government officials, business leaders and representatives of various institutions to discuss strategies for strengthening the region’s business environment and accelerating economic growth in Tanzania’s commercial capital.
