People with special needs have been urged to take advantage of government procurement opportunities by registering and applying for tenders through the National e-Procurement System of Tanzania (NeST), as the government moves to widen economic participation among disadvantaged groups.
Minister for Finance Ambassador Khamis Mussa Omar (MP) said the government has reserved 30 per cent of public procurement opportunities for special groups, including people with disabilities, women and youth, as part of efforts to promote inclusive economic growth.
The minister made the remarks in Tanga during an event to distribute artificial limbs to people with special needs, organised by Tanga Regional Special Seats MP Mwanaisha Ulenge in partnership with Ng’arisha Maisha, a non-governmental organisation.
Ambassador Omar said the government has strengthened the procurement framework to ensure local entrepreneurs and special groups benefit from public spending, noting that tenders worth up to Sh50 billion are advertised locally to give priority to domestic suppliers.
He added that even in internationally advertised tenders, the 30 per cent allocation for special groups remains a key measure to ensure wider participation in the economy.
“People with special needs should make full use of the NeST system and apply for government opportunities in supplying goods, providing services and undertaking construction projects. These opportunities should not pass them by,” Ambassador Omar said.
He said access to public procurement was among the government’s strategies to empower citizens economically by enabling them to become suppliers and service providers rather than remaining beneficiaries of development programmes.
The minister also called on youth, women and other special groups to build their capacity through available training programmes on public procurement so they can compete effectively for government contracts.
“Building capacity is important because these groups need knowledge and skills to participate successfully and benefit from public procurement opportunities,” he said.
On the distribution of artificial limbs, Ambassador Omar said the support would help beneficiaries regain independence and return to productive activities, improving their ability to contribute to their families and communities.
He urged beneficiaries to properly use and maintain the equipment to ensure it continues serving its intended purpose.
The minister commended MP Ulenge, Ng’arisha Maisha and other stakeholders for supporting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of people with special needs, saying inclusive development requires cooperation between the government and society.
“Every citizen deserves an opportunity to participate in economic activities and contribute to national development. The government will continue working with stakeholders to ensure development opportunities reach all groups,” he said.
Meanwhile, MP Ulenge praised the government’s review of the Public Procurement Act, saying the reforms have created more space for youth, women and people with special needs to participate in government business.
She said research conducted in 2021 by TradeMark East Africa in collaboration with Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC) showed that women’s participation in public procurement was only two per cent, while participation by other special groups was even lower.
She said the review of the law was necessary to address existing gaps and increase access to procurement opportunities for groups that had previously faced challenges in competing for government contracts.
The increased participation of special groups in public procurement, she said, would contribute to job creation, income generation and broader economic empowerment across the country.
