Vice President Dr Emmanuel Nchimbi has urged authorities overseeing Tanzania’s cooperative sector to strengthen governance, accountability and financial discipline as the government seeks to position cooperatives as key drivers of inclusive economic growth under the country’s Vision 2050 agenda.
Speaking during the Cooperative Day celebrations at the 2026 International Nane Nane Exhibition in Dodoma, Dr Nchimbi said effective supervision of cooperative societies was essential for protecting members’ interests, improving transparency and restoring public confidence in the sector.
He directed the Cooperative Development Commission to continue providing professional guidance to cooperatives across the country, while calling on the Cooperative Audit and Supervision Corporation (COASCO) to intensify regular audits to curb financial mismanagement and strengthen accountability.
“A cooperative movement built on integrity is crucial for earning members’ trust and attracting investment,” he said, noting that the future of the sector depends on responsible leadership, ethical conduct and sound management practices.
The Vice President also appealed to public institutions, private sector actors and development partners to support the recently launched “Protect Cooperatives, Choose Integrity” campaign, which seeks to combat fraud and other unethical practices within cooperative societies.
Linking the sector to Tanzania’s long-term development ambitions, Dr Nchimbi instructed the Ministry of Agriculture and the Cooperative Development Commission to align cooperative development strategies with Vision 2050, which envisions commercially oriented cooperatives playing a greater role in industrialisation and broad-based economic growth.
He said increased public awareness and participation would be critical in expanding cooperative membership and enhancing the sector’s contribution to national development.
On agriculture, Dr Nchimbi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving farmers’ access to agricultural inputs and extension services, describing fertilizer subsidies as one of the measures aimed at boosting productivity and increasing crop output.
The Vice President made the remarks after touring various pavilions at the Nane Nane Exhibition and later joining celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI).
During the anniversary event, he praised TARI and its partners for developing and disseminating technologies that have helped improve agricultural productivity and farmers’ livelihoods over the past decade.
However, he challenged researchers to ensure that scientific innovations respond directly to the needs of farmers and the broader economy.
Dr Nchimbi said research institutions have a critical role to play in translating the aspirations of Vision 2050 into practical solutions that increase productivity, improve competitiveness and add value to agricultural produce.
He noted that countries that achieve sustained economic transformation are those that invest consistently in education, science, technology and innovation, adding that research and innovation remain central pillars of Tanzania’s long-term development strategy.
This year’s International Nane Nane Exhibition is being held under the theme: “Identify Markets, Increase Productivity, Deliver Vision 2050.”
