Media editors in Tanzania have commended the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), under the leadership of Commissioner General Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, for marking its 30th anniversary, saying the authority has successfully brought stability to tax administration and built a close relationship with taxpayers.
The commendations were made during a working session between the TRA Commissioner General and editors in Dar es Salaam ahead of the 30th anniversary celebrations of TRA and the Presidential Taxpayer Awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on July 1, 2026, at the Mlimani City Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of the Tanzania Editors Forum (TEF), Mr. Deodatus Balile, said the current TRA has introduced significant reforms in tax administration and transformed its image from an institution once viewed with fear into a genuine partner of taxpayers.
“It is not that we are praising TRA without evidence. I am also a businessman, and I have personally witnessed the tremendous operational reforms that TRA has undertaken in recent years.
They now treat taxpayers like a nurse treats a patient, handling them with care to the extent that they hardly feel the pain,” said Balile.
He noted that this approach has increased public confidence in TRA and encouraged voluntary tax compliance, a development that has contributed to increased domestic revenue collections and enabled the Government to implement various development projects.
Balile also commended the TRA Commissioner General, Mr. Yusuph Juma Mwenda, for his exemplary leadership and for spearheading major operational reforms that have improved service delivery to taxpayers.
Other editors, including Abdallah Majura and Pascal Mayalla, echoed the sentiments, saying that TRA is now widely spoken of positively by the public due to improvements in service delivery and strengthened relations between the authority and taxpayers.
They advised TRA to continue providing tax education to citizens and journalists in order to enhance public understanding of tax matters and the importance of voluntary tax compliance, which would ultimately expand the tax base and increase government revenue.
The editors further stated that TRA's achievements over the past 30 years demonstrate how the institution has evolved into a taxpayer-friendly authority that works closely with citizens in building the national economy.
The 30th anniversary celebrations of TRA and the Presidential Taxpayer Awards are expected to take place on July 1, 2026, at the Mlimani City Conference Centre, where various stakeholders will gather to recognize and appreciate the contribution of taxpayers to Tanzania's development.
