The government has called on business officers across the country to work more closely with institutions under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, including the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA), to improve the business environment and support Tanzania’s development ambitions under Vision 2050.
Deputy Minister for Industry and Trade Dennis Londo made the call yesterday when opening the third meeting between the ministry and business officers from across Mainland Tanzania at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma.
Mr Londo, who represented Minister for Industry and Trade Judith Kapinga, said Vision 2050 requires government institutions to move beyond regulation and play a more active role in facilitating businesses, industries and investment.
He urged business officers to engage directly with entrepreneurs, visit industries, identify investment opportunities and resolve challenges facing businesses before they become obstacles to growth.
“I urge you to use your positions to become genuine facilitators of business and investment. Reach out to traders, visit industries, identify opportunities and address challenges on time,” Mr Londo said.
He said business officers should also help eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy, provide accurate information, simplify licensing procedures and support the formalisation of businesses.
“Businesspeople should not lose valuable time moving from one office to another in search of services,” he said.
The directive comes as Tanzania seeks to strengthen the private sector's contribution to economic growth and position the country as an industrial hub in East and Southern Africa.
Mr Londo said the country recorded a 16 percent increase in the value of goods exports in 2025, reaching $10.08 billion from $8.70 billion in 2024.
He attributed the increase partly to a reduction in some trade barriers, alongside other factors.
The minister said the figures demonstrated the importance of continuing reforms that make it easier for businesses to operate, invest and access domestic and international markets.
BRELA Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Nyaisa said the agency was implementing reforms to make business registration and licensing faster, cheaper and more transparent.
He said the reforms included improvements to the BRELA Online System (BOS), which brings the agency's services together on one digital platform.
According to Mr Nyaisa, the system can facilitate the issuance of Class A and Class B business licences, allowing local government authorities to use it to issue and manage Class B licences while protecting council revenues.
He said the reforms were also designed to improve efficiency and reduce opportunities for corruption and negligence in service delivery.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ambassador Waziri Rajab Salum, urged business officers to intensify efforts to identify and stop counterfeit products from entering local markets.
He said officers should remain committed to professionalism, integrity, hard work and accountability as they serve businesses and the wider public.
The two-day meeting brings together business officers from regions across Mainland Tanzania under the theme: “Leading Business Officer: Promoting Trade, Industry and Markets towards Vision 2050.”
The meeting is expected to provide a platform for assessing challenges affecting businesses and strengthening coordination between the ministry, BRELA, local authorities and business officers as Tanzania seeks to build a more efficient and competitive business environment.
