The government has called on the Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) to sustain reforms across state-owned enterprises and companies with government shareholding, saying stronger governance is translating into higher returns that can finance public services and development projects.
The call was made on Tuesday by Chief Government Spokesperson Gerson Msigwa during a visit to the OTR pavilion at the 50th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Sabasaba).
Mr Msigwa, who also serves as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, said the office's ongoing reforms had strengthened the performance of public institutions, resulting in a sharp rise in dividends and other non-tax contributions to the Treasury.
"The reforms you are implementing have enabled an increase in dividends and other contributions from public institutions and companies in which the government holds minority stakes. Continue strengthening these efforts to deliver even greater results," he said.
The OTR collected TZS 1.327 trillion in dividends and other contributions during the 2025/26 financial year, up from TZS 1.028 trillion in 2024/25—an increase of nearly TZS 300 billion, or about 30 percent.
The higher collections come as the government seeks to improve the commercial performance of state investments and reduce reliance on traditional sources of revenue by ensuring public assets generate stronger financial returns.
Mr Msigwa also urged the OTR to expand public education on government-owned investments, noting that the office oversees a portfolio valued at TZS 92.3 trillion across state-owned enterprises and companies in which the government holds minority shareholdings.
"Citizens should understand that these investments belong to them. It is important that they know their value and safeguard them in the national interest," he said.
He added that greater public awareness would promote accountability and reinforce appreciation of the role public enterprises play in supporting Tanzania's economic development.
Revenue generated through dividends and other contributions from state-owned enterprises and government-linked companies is channelled into the Consolidated Fund, where it helps finance infrastructure projects and essential public services, including health and education.
The remarks underscore the government's broader push to improve the efficiency, governance and profitability of state investments, positioning public enterprises as a growing source of domestic revenue to support Tanzania's development agenda.
