President Samia Suluhu Hassan has appointed Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Director of Taxpayer Education and Communication Richard Marcellino Kayombo as the new Coast Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS).
The appointment was announced on August 27, 2026, through a statement issued by Chief Secretary Ambassador Moses Kusiluka.
Mr Kayombo's appointment marks a move from a specialised role in revenue administration and public communication to one of the senior administrative positions at regional level, where he will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of government policies and development programmes in Coast Region.
Mr Kayombo is a public servant whose career has been closely associated with strategic communication, taxpayer education and engagement between government institutions and the public.
At TRA, he served as Director of Taxpayer Education and Communication, a position that placed him at the centre of efforts to improve public understanding of taxation and encourage voluntary compliance.
A significant part of his work involved translating complex tax laws, regulations and procedures into information that could be easily understood by taxpayers.
This included communicating with small and medium-sized businesses, investors and other taxpayers on issues such as tax compliance, electronic tax systems, Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) and Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TINs).
His role also brought him into regular contact with the media, through radio and television programmes as well as other public communication platforms used to explain tax policies and address questions from taxpayers.
The experience gave him exposure to some of the practical challenges facing businesses and individuals in their interactions with government institutions.His appointment as Coast RAS significantly broadens his responsibilities.
Unlike his previous role, which was largely focused on revenue administration and taxpayer communication, the new position requires him to work across multiple sectors and government institutions.
The RAS is an important link in the regional government structure, with responsibilities that include coordinating government activities, supervising the implementation of policies and development plans, and supporting effective delivery of public services.
Mr Kayombo will therefore be expected to apply his experience in communication and stakeholder engagement to a much wider administrative environment.
The appointment comes at a time when Coast Region is assuming an increasingly important role in Tanzania's economic landscape.
Its proximity to Dar es Salaam, combined with expanding industrial, commercial, infrastructure and investment activities, has increased the region's strategic importance.
The region is also home to major economic activities and projects that require close coordination between central government institutions, local authorities, investors and communities.
Against this backdrop, effective administration will be critical in ensuring that development projects are implemented efficiently while challenges affecting businesses and citizens are addressed.
Mr Kayombo's previous engagement with the private sector, taxpayers and the media could provide useful experience as he takes on the broader task of coordinating government activities in the region.
While communication has been a major component of Mr Kayombo's previous responsibilities, his new role will test his capacity in broader public administration.
He will have to coordinate different government departments and institutions, follow up on development programmes and ensure that decisions made at national level are translated into action at the regional level.
He will also be expected to work with district authorities, business communities, investors and residents on issues affecting development and service delivery.
For Coast Region, the key question will be how effectively the new administration can balance economic growth with efficient public services and responsive governance.
For Mr Kayombo, the appointment represents an opportunity to transfer his experience in communication, stakeholder engagement and public-sector management into a wider leadership role.
His performance will ultimately be judged by the effectiveness of government coordination, the implementation of development priorities and the ability of the regional administration to respond to the needs of citizens and investors.
The appointment consequently places Mr Kayombo in a position where his communication background will remain valuable—but where administrative leadership, coordination and delivery will be central to his new mandate.